SunOpta (STKL) 10-Q 9 May 18 2018 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	May 04, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	SunOpta Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	351,834
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Trading Symbol	STKL
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		86,864,115

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Revenues	$ 312,652	$ 330,031
Cost of goods sold	278,968	291,332
Gross profit	33,684	38,699
Selling, general and administrative expenses	28,288	38,272
Intangible asset amortization	2,771	2,803
Other expense, net	(402)	5,443
Foreign exchange (gain) loss	962	580
Earnings from continuing operations before the following	2,065	(8,399)
Interest expense, net	8,220	7,754
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(6,155)	(16,153)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(1,693)	(4,969)
Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Abstract
Net Loss	(4,462)	(11,184)
Earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	(99)	214
Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.	(4,363)	(11,398)
Dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock	(1,967)	(1,940)
Earnings (Loss) attributable to common shareholders	$ (6,330)	$ (13,338)
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic	$ (0.07)	$ (0.16)
Diluted	$ (0.07)	$ (0.16)

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings
Earnings (loss)	$ (4,462)	$ (11,184)
Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Net Of Tax	573	1,242
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in earnings	134	0
Net changes related to cash flow hedges	707	1,242
Currency translation adjustment	1,456	598
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of income taxes	2,163	1,840
Comprehensive earnings (loss)	(2,299)	(9,344)
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	21	518
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc	$ (2,320)	$ (9,862)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,924	$ 3,228
Accounts receivable	143,420	125,152
Inventories	334,481	354,978
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	38,379	33,213
Current income taxes recoverable	9,078	12,006
Assets, Current, Total	528,282	528,577
Property, Plant and Equipment	164,518	163,624
Goodwill	109,729	109,533
Intangible Assets	169,317	172,059
Deferred income taxes	363	363
Other assets	7,678	8,017
Assets, Total	979,887	982,173
Current liabilities
Bank indebtedness	236,637	234,090
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	162,682	161,364
Customer and other deposits	3,499	4,901
Income taxes payable	1,854	1,351
Other current liabilities	628	818
Current portion of long-term debt	2,190	2,228
Current portion of long-term liabilities	8,904	5,300
Liabilities, Current, Total	416,394	410,052
Long-term debt	225,570	225,805
Long-term liabilities	2,367	8,352
Deferred income taxes	14,867	15,850
Liabilities, Total	659,198	660,059
Preferred shares of a subsidiary company held for sale	80,460	80,193
Sunopta Inc Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	309,575	308,899
Additional paid in capital	29,650	28,006
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(95,367)	(89,291)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,225)	(7,268)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total	238,633	240,346
Non-controlling interest	1,596	1,575
Total Equity	240,229	241,921
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$ 979,887	$ 982,173

Consolidated Balance Sheet (par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (parentheticals) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Common Stock Shares Issued	86,840,122	86,757,334
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	86,840,122	86,757,334
Common Stock, No Par Value	$ 0	$ 0

Consolidated Statements of Shar

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 369,413	$ 300,426	$ 25,522	$ 53,838	$ (13,104)	$ 2,731
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016		85,744
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Value	94	$ 94	0	0	0	0
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Shares		15
Exercise of options	1,000	$ 2,061	(1,061)	0	0	0
Exercise of options, shares		248
Dividends Preferred Stock Cash	(1,700)	$ 0	0	(1,700)	0	0
Preferred Stock Accretion To Redemption Value1	(240)	0	0	(240)	0	0
Stock based compensation	852	0	852	0	0	0
Earnings (loss)	(11,184)	0	0	(11,398)	0	214
Currency translation adjustment	598	0	0	0	605	(7)
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax	1,242	0	0	0	931	311
Minority Interest Decrease From Redemptions	0	0	(162)	0	(82)	244
Balance at Apr. 01, 2017	360,075	$ 302,581	25,151	40,500	(11,650)	3,493
Balance, shares at Apr. 01, 2017		86,007
AOCI Including Portion Attributable To Non controlling Interest Tax	533
Balance at Dec. 30, 2017	241,921	$ 308,899	28,006	(89,291)	(7,268)	1,575
Balance, shares at Dec. 30, 2017		86,757
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Value	136	$ 136	0	0	0	0
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Shares		23
Exercise of options	13	$ 540	(527)	0	0	0
Exercise of options, shares		60
Dividends Preferred Stock Cash	(1,700)	$ 0	0	(1,700)	0	0
Preferred Stock Accretion To Redemption Value1	(267)	0	0	(267)	0	0
Stock based compensation	2,171	0	2,171	0	0	0
Earnings (loss)	(4,462)	0	0	(4,363)	0	(99)
Currency translation adjustment	1,456	0	0	0	1,336	120
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax	707	0	0	0	707	0
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	240,229	$ 309,575	29,650	(95,367)	(5,225)	1,596
Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2018		86,840
Cumulative Effect Of New Accounting Principle In Period Of Adoption	254	$ 0	$ 0	$ 254	$ 0	$ 0
AOCI Including Portion Attributable To Non controlling Interest Tax	$ 303

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Operating Activities
Earnings (loss)	$ (4,462)	$ (11,184)
Items not affecting cash
Depreciation and amortization	8,141	8,180
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs	608	486
Deferred income taxes	(1,286)	(6,092)
Stock-based compensation	2,171	852
Unrealized Loss (Gain) on Derivatives Instrument	1,521	38
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration	(2,416)	0
Impairment of long-lived assets	(339)	(3,723)
Other	1	143
Changes in non-cash working capital, net of business acquired	2,889	23,335
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Total	7,506	19,481
Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(6,735)	(9,024)
Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment	700	250
Minority Interest Decrease From Redemptions		0
Other	0	110
Net cash flows from investing activities	(6,035)	(8,664)
Financing activities
Increase (decrease) under line of credit facilities	309	(7,341)
Repayment of long-term debt	(522)	(527)
Payments Of Dividends	(1,700)	(1,591)
Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised	149	1,094
Other	(40)	(202)
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities	(1,804)	(8,567)
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash held in a foreign currency	29	10
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period	(304)	2,260
Discontinued operations cash activity included above:
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of the period	3,228	1,251
Cash and cash equivalents - end of the period	2,924	3,511
Noncash Investing And Financing Items [Abstract]
Accrued Dividends	$ (1,700)	$ (1,700)

Description of Business and Sig

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Basis Of Presentation Fiscal Year End And New Accounting Pronouncements Disclosure [Abstract]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	1 . Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies SunOpta Inc. (the “Company” or “SunOpta”) was incorporated under the laws of Canada on November 13, 1973. The Company operates businesses focused on a healthy products portfolio that promotes sustainable well-being. The Company’s two reportable segments, Global Ingredients and Consumer Products, operate in the natural, organic and specialty food sectors and utilize an integrated business model to bring cost-effective and quality produ cts to market. Basis of Presentation The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 , as amended, and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, these condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation have been included and all such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 29, 2018 or for any other period. The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Comp any and its subsidiaries, and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 30, 2017 , except as described below under “Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Adoption of New Accounting Stan dards ” . For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017 . Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the Company consists of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 201 8 is a 52-w eek period ending on December 29 , 201 8 , with qua rterly periods ending on March 31, June 30 and September 29 , 201 8. Fiscal year 2017 was a 52-week period ending o n December 30, 2017 , with qua rterly periods ending on April 1, July 1 and September 30 , 201 7 . Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adoption of New Accounting Standard As at December 31, 2017 (the first day of fiscal 2018), the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASC Topic 606”) , which superseded all previous revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. Under this new standard, a company recognizes revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company analyzed its significant customer contracts to determine the effects of ASC Topic 606 . In particular, the Company assessed under the new guidance whether its contracts with customers to produce certain consumer-packaged goods would require the Company to recognize revenue over time versus at a point in time, based on whether the given product has an alternative use and whether there is an enforceable right to payment under the contract for product produced to date. Based on its assessment, the Company concluded that it does not satisfy the criteria to recognize revenue over time. Accordingly, the Company continues to recognize revenue at a point in time cons istent with its previous policies and processes, which is typically when title and physical possession of the product has transferred to the customer. The Company also transacts with certain customers on a bill-and-hold basis, whereby the Company bills a customer for product to be delivered at a later date . Prior to the adoption of ASC Topic 606 , the Company deferred the recognition of revenue related to these bill-and-hold arrangements, as the arrangements did not typically include a fixed delivery sched ule. As this criterion is no longer a consideration under ASC Topic 606 , these arrangements now qualify for revenue recognition at the point in time that the customer obtains control of the goods . With the exception of bill-and-hold arrangements, the adoption of ASC Topic 606 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and revenue recognition practices, or its internal controls. The Company adopted ASC Topic 606 using the modified retrospective approach, which resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment of $0.3 million to opening accumulated deficit as at December 31, 2017, related to the recognition of $4.8 million of bill-and-hold revenue deferred under previous U.S. GAAP . The change in the timing of the recognition of bill-and-hold revenue did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 or consolidated balance sheet as at March 31, 2018 . See note 2 for additional disclosures under ASC Topic 606 . Recently Issued Accounting Standards, Not Adopted as at March 31, 2018 In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“ FASB ”) issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, which requires measurement and recognition of expected versus incurred credit losses for most financial assets. ASU 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases”, a comprehensive new standard that amends various aspects of existing accounting guidance for leases, including the recognition of a right of use asset and a lease liability for leases with a duration of greater than one year. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, includi ng interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consoli dated financial statements . The Company anticipates that upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, it will recognize significant additional right-to-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on its balance sheet , related to existing operating leases .

Revenue

Revenue	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Text Block]	2 . Revenue The Company sources, processes and packages organic and natural food products, including organic raw commodities and value-added ingredients, specialty and organic grains and seeds, and consumer-ready beverage, frozen fruit and fruit snack products. The Company’s customers include retailers, foodservice operators, branded food companies and food manufacturers. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations u nder the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied, which is upon the transfer of control of the contracted goods. Except for goods sold under bill-and-hold arrangements, control is transferred when title and physical possession of the product has transferred to the customer, which is at the point in time that product is shipped from the Company ’ s facilities or delivered to a specified destination, depending on the terms of the contract, and the Company has a present right to payment. Under bill-a nd-hold arrangements — whereby the Company bills a customer for product to be delivered at a later date— control typically transfers when the product is ready for physical transfer to the customer, and the Company has a present right to payment. A perfor mance obligation is a promise within a contract to transfer distinct goods to the customer. A contract with a customer may involve multiple products and/or multiple delivery dates, with the transfer of each product at each delivery date being considered a distinct performance obligation , as each of the Company’s products has standalone utility to the customer . In these cases, the contract ’ s transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on relative standalone selling prices, and recog nized as revenue when each individual product is transferred to the customer. Other promises in the contract — for example, the promise to provide quality assurance testing to ensure the product meets specification and is fit for its intended use — are not se parable from the promise to deliver goods and are therefore not considered distinct. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring the goods. Consideration is typically determined based on a fixed unit price for the quantity of product transferred. Certain contracts may give rise to an element of variable consideration in the form of rebates or discounts. For contracts involving variable consideration, the Company estimates the transact ion price based on the amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled. These estimates are determined based on historical experience and the expected outcome of the variable consideration, and are updated as new information becomes available, including actual claims paid, which indicate an estimate is not indicative of the expected results. Changes to these estimates are recorded in the period the adjustment is identified. The Company does not typically grant customers a general right of retu rn for goods transferred, but will generally accept returns of product for quality-related issues. The cost of satisfying this promise of quality is accounted for as an assurance-type warranty obligation rather than variable consideration. The Company ’ s contracts do not typically include any significant payment terms, as payment is normally due shortly after the time of transfer. Within the Company ’ s Global Ingredients operating segment, arrangements with customers are in the form of written sales cont racts, specifying the quantity and timing of goods to be delivered. The du ration of these sales contracts is typically one year or less based on crop-year cycles, and may involve multiple delivery dates over the course of the contract. The Company has el ected not to disclose the value of remaining performance obligations for contracts with an original duration of one year or less. Some contracts may extend beyond one year ; however, for these contracts, the Company expects to satisfy substantially all of the remaining performance obligations within the next 12 months . For contracts involving the delivery of raw commodities or organic ingredients, the Company evaluated whether it is acting as the principal (whereby revenues are reported on a gross basis) o r agent (whereby revenues are reported on a net basis). The Company determined that for these contracts it is the principal, since the Company is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to deliver the goods to customers. That is, the Company con trols access to the goods through purchase commitments with selected suppliers, and bears responsibility and potential financial risk for quality-related issues related to the delivered product. In addition, the Company has discretion in establishing pric es for the product. Within the Company ’ s Consumer Products operating segment, contracts are typically represented by short-term, binding purchase orders from customers, identifying the quantity and pricing for products to be transferred. Customer orders may be issued under long-term master supply arrangements. On their own, these master supply arrangements are typically not considered contracts for purposes of revenue recognition, as they do not create enforceable rights and obligations regarding the qua ntity , pricing or timing of goods to be transferred (for example, by imposing minimum purchase obligations on the part of the customer). Certain master supply arrangements provide for the transfer of product on a bill-and-hold basis at the specific request of t he customer. Goods are produced under these bill-and-hold arrangements to meet individual customer specifications, and, therefore, are identifiable as belonging to the customer and cannot be directed to another customer . The timing of the Company ’ s rev enue recognition, customer billings and cash collections, does not result in significant unbilled receivables (contract assets) or customer advances (contract liabilities) on the consolidated balance sheet. Contract costs, such as sales commissions, are g enerally expensed as incurred given the short-term nature of the associated contracts. The following table presents a disaggregation of the Company ’ s revenues based on categories used by the Company to evaluate sales performance: Quarter ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 $ $ Global Ingredients Internationally-sourced organic ingredients 102,267 84,641 North American-sourced grains and seeds 34,064 42,001 Total Global Ingredients 136,331 126,642 Consumer Products Beverage products (1) 85,250 81,242 Frozen fruit products (2) 77,471 98,330 Snack products (3) 13,600 23,817 Total Consumer Products 176,321 203,389 Total revenues 312,652 330,031 Includes aseptically-packaged products including non-dairy beverages, broths and teas; refrigerated premium juices; and shelf-stable juices and functional waters. Includes individually quick frozen (“IQF”) fruits for retail; IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice; and custom fruit preparations for industrial use. Includes fruit snack offerings, as well as flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar products, wh ich were exited in 2017 (see note 3 ) .

Value Creation Plan

Value Creation Plan	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring And Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	3 . Value Creation Plan Overview On October 7, 2016, the Company entered into a strategic partnership with Oaktree Capital Management L.P., a private equity investor (together with its affiliates, “Oaktree”). On October 7, 2016, Oaktree invested $85.0 million through the purchase of cumulative, non-participating Series A Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SunOpta Foods Inc. (“SunOpta Foods”) (see note 7 ). Following the strategic partnership, with the assistance of Oaktre e, the Company conducted a thorough review of its operations, management and governance, with the objective of maximizing the Company’s ability to deliver long-term value to its shareholders. As a product of this review, the Company developed a Value Crea tion Plan built on four pillars: portfolio optimization, operational excellence, go-to-market effectiveness and process sustainability. The Company engaged third-party management consulting firms to support the design and implementation of the Value Crea tion Plan . In 2016, measures taken under the Value Creation Plan included the closure of the Company’s San Bernardino, California, juice facility and the Company’s soy extraction facility in Heuvelton, New York . In 2017, further measures t aken under th e Value Creation Plan includ ed the exits from flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines and operat ions (see below) , as well as the consolidation of grain operations and related closure of a grain-handling facility in Moorhead, Minnesota, an d the consolidation o f roasted snack operations and related planned closure of the Company’s Wahpeton, North Dakota, roasting facility . In addition, the Company made organizational changes within its management and executive teams, along with new leadersh ip to many corporate, commercial and operational functions. The Company also added new employees in the areas of quality, sales, marketing, operations and engineering, and made capital investments at several of its manufacturing facilities to enhance food safety and production efficiencies . Flexible Resealable Pouch and Nutrition Bar Product Lines and Operations As the flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines and operations do not qualify for presentation as discontinued operations, op erating results from these activities were reported in continuing operations on the consolidated statements of operations for the current and comparative period. Revenues from sales of these product lines were $2.6 million and $15.4 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , respectively. Revenues reported from these operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , related to the delivery of remaining inventories to customers under existing contracts at the time of exit. Losses bef ore income taxes from these operations were $1.3 million and $2.0 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , respectively. For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , the loss before income taxes from these operations included the recognition of the remaining lease obligation of $1.3 million related to the vacated nutrition bar processing facility. These operations are included in the Consumer Products operating segment . Costs Incurred Under the Value Creation Plan The following table summarizes costs incurred under the Value Creation Plan for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 : (a) (b) (c) Employee Asset recruitment, Consulting impairments retention and fees and and facility termination temporary closure costs costs labor costs Total $ $ $ $ March 31, 2018 Balance payable (receivable), December 30, 2017 (1) (700) 4,427 - 3,727 Costs incurred and charged to expense 1,650 435 110 2,195 Cash receipts (payments), net 700 (2,883) (110) (2,293) Non-cash adjustments (339) - - (339) Balance payable, March 31, 2018 (1) 1,311 1,979 - 3,290 April 1, 2017 Balance payable, December 31, 2016 - 1,803 1,657 3,460 Costs incurred and charged to expense 4,095 3,478 9,710 17,283 Cash payments (3,581) (2,578) (1,774) (7,933) Non-cash adjustments (714) 276 - (438) Balance payable (receivable), April 1, 2017 (200) 2,979 9,593 12,372 Balance payable was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and balance receivable was included in accounts receivable on the consolidated balance sheet . (a) Asset impairments and facility closure costs For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , costs incurred included the remaining lease obligation related to the vacated nutrition bar processing facility, and an additional impairment loss related to the Wahpeton roasting facility . Net cash receipts included proceeds on the sale of nutrition ba r equipment. Balance payable as at March 31, 2018 , represents the remaining nutrition bar facility lease obligation, which extends until December 2020. The Company is pursuing potential parties interested in assuming the facility lease. For the quarter ended April 1, 2017 , cost incurred included the early buyout of the San Bernardino equipment leases , as well as closure costs related to the San Bernardino facility prior to its disposal to the landlord. In exchange for the San Bernardino assets, the facility landlord released the Company from its remaining property lease obligation and paid proceeds of $0.2 million in December 2017 . (b) Employee recruitment, retention and termination costs Represents third-party recruiting fees incurred to identify and retain new employees; reimbursement of relocation costs for new employees; retention and signing bonuses accrued for certain existing and new employees ; and severance benefits, net of forfeitures of stock-based awards, and legal co sts related to employee termination s. Retention bonuses were paid out in the first quarter of 2018 to employees who remained employed by the Company through December 31, 2017, or other specified dates. Certain employees were entitled to pro-rata payouts of their retention bonuses if their employment terminated earlier than their retention payment date. (c) Consulting fees and temporary labor costs Represents the cost for third-party consultants and temporary labor engaged to support the design and imple mentation of the Value Creation Plan . These efforts were substantially completed during fiscal 2017. The following table summarizes costs incurred since the inception of the Value Creation Plan to March 31, 2018 : Employee Asset recruitment, Consulting impairments retention and fees and and facility termination temporary closure costs costs labor costs Total $ $ $ $ Costs incurred and charged to expense 34,938 14,816 20,679 70,433 Cash payments, net (10,046) (13,260) (20,679) (43,985) Non-cash adjustments (23,581) 423 - (23,158) Balance payable, March 31, 2018 1,311 1,979 - 3,290 For the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , costs incurred and charged to expense were recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as follows: Quarter ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 $ $ Cost of goods sold (1) 100 372 Selling, general and administrative expenses (2) 313 11,438 Other expense (3) 1,782 5,473 2,195 17,283 (1 ) F acility closure costs, including inventory write-downs, recorded in cost of goods sold were allocated to the Consumer Products operating segment. (2) Consulting fees and temporary labor costs, and employee recruitment, relocation and retention costs recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses were allocated to Corporate Services. (3) For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , asset impairment , lease obligation and employee termination costs recorded in other expense were allocated as follows: Raw Material Sourcing and Supply operating segment - $ 0.3 million ( April 1, 2017 – $nil) ; Consumer Products operating segment - $ 1.3 million ( April 1, 2017 – $4.7 million) ; and Corporate Services - $ 0.1 million ( April 1, 2017 – $0.8 million).

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives and Fair Value [Text Block]	4 . Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements The following table presents for each of the fair value hierarchies, the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 30, 2017 : March 31, 2018 Fair value asset (liability) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 $ $ $ $ Commodity futures and forward contracts (1) Current asset 202 - 202 - Long-term asset 45 - 45 - Current liability (1,266) (56) (1,210) - Long-term liability (8) - (8) - Inventories carried at market (2) 4,368 - 4,368 - Forward foreign currency contracts (3) Not designated as hedging instruments (710) - (710) - Designated as hedging instruments 575 - 575 - Contingent consideration (4) (8,904) - - (8,904) Embedded derivative 2,690 - - 2,690 December 30, 2017 Fair value asset (liability) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 $ $ $ $ Commodity futures and forward contracts (1) Current asset 738 - 738 - Current liability (240) (35) (205) - Long-term liability (4) - (4) - Inventories carried at market (2) 3,838 - 3,838 - Forward foreign currency contracts (3) Not designated as hedging instruments (1,060) - (1,060) - Designated as hedging instruments (435) - (435) - Contingent consideration (4) (11,320) - - (11,320) Embedded derivative 2,690 - - 2,690 ( 1 ) Commodity futures and forward contracts Represents exchange-traded commodity futures and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts. Exchange-traded futures are fair valued based on unadjusted quotes for identical assets priced in active markets and are classified as level 1. Fair value for forward commodity purchase and sale contracts is estimated based on exchange-quoted prices adjusted for differences in local markets. Local market adjustments use observable inputs or market transact ions for similar assets or liabilities, and, as a result, are classified as level 2. Based on historical experience with the Company’s suppliers and customers, the Company’s own credit risk, and the Company’s knowledge of current market conditions, the Co mpany does not view non-performance risk to be a significant input to fair value for the majority of its forward commodity purchase and sale contracts. These exchange-traded commodity futures and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts are used as part of the Company’s risk management strategy, and represent economic hedges to limit risk related to fluctuations in the price of certain commodity grains, as well as the prices of cocoa and coffee. These contracts are not designated as hedges for acco unting purposes. Gains and losses on changes in fair value of these contracts are included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statement of operations . For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , the Company recognized a loss of $1.5 million ( April 1, 2017 – loss of $0. 0 million) related to chan ges in the fair value of these contracts . Unrealized gains on short-term contracts are included in other current assets ; and unrealized losses on short-term and long-term contracts are included in other current liabilities and long-term liabilities , respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. As at March 31, 2018 , the notional amounts of open commodity futures and forward purchase and sale contracts were as follows (in thousands of bushels): Number of bushels purchased (sold) Corn Soybeans Forward commodity purchase contracts 799 393 Forward commodity sale contracts (326) (899) Commodity futures contracts (750) 210 In addition, as at March 31, 2018 , the Company had net open forward contracts to sell 716 lots ( December 30, 2017 – 299 lots sold) of cocoa. ( 2 ) Inventories carried at market The fair value of g rain inventor ies carried at market is determined using quoted market prices from the Chicago Board of Trade (“CBoT”) , as adjusted for differences in local markets, and broker or dealer quotes. As at March 31, 2018 , the Company had 235,992 bushels of commodity corn and 292,019 bushels of c ommodity soybeans included in inventories carried at market. The fair value of these inventories is included in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as there are observable quoted prices for similar assets in active markets. Gains and losses on these inv entories are included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of operations. Inventories carried at market are included in inventories on the consolidated balance sheets. ( 3 ) Foreign forward currency contracts As part of its risk management strategy, the Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. For any open forward foreign exchange contracts at period end, the contract rate is compared to the forward rate, and a gain or loss is recorded. These contracts are included in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as the inputs used in making the fair va lue determination are derived from and are corroborated by observable market data. Certain of these forward foreign exchange contracts may be designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes, while other of these contracts represent economic hedges that are not designated as hedging instru ments. (i) Not designated as hedging instruments As at March 31, 2018 , the Company had open forward foreign exchange contracts to sell euros to buy U.S. dollars with a notional value of € 12.8 million ($ 15.2 million) , and to sell British pounds to buy euros with a notional value of £ 0.4 million ( € 0.4 million) . As these contracts were not designated as hedging instruments, gains and lo sses on changes in the fair value of the se contracts are included in foreign exchange loss or gain on the consolidated statement of operations. For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , the Company recognized a gain of $ 0.4 million ( April 1, 2017 – loss of $ 0.9 million) related to changes in the fair value of these contracts. Unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in accounts receivable and accounts payable, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. (ii) Designated as hedging instr uments As at March 31, 2018 , the Company had net open forward foreign exchange contracts to sell U.S. dollars to buy Mexican pesos with a notional value of $ 11.1 million (M$ 214.5 million). These contracts wer e entered into as part of a hedging program to manage the variability of cash flows associated with a portion of forecasted purchases of raw fruit inventories denominated in Mexican pesos. As these contracts have been designated as hedging instruments, th e effective portion of the gains and losses on changes in the fair value of these contracts is included in other comprehensive earnings and reclassified to cost of goods sold in the same period the hedged transaction affects earnings, which is upon the sal e of the inventories. For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , the Company recognized a net unrealized gain in other comprehensive earnings of $0.8 million ( April 1, 2017 – gain of $ 1.8 million) related to changes in the fair value of open contracts, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , the Company reclassified $0.2 million of realized losses on closed contracts from other comprehensive earnings to cost of goods sold. The Company expects to reclassify the $0.6 million amount of the unrealized losses recor ded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as at March 31, 2018 , to earnings over the next five months. Unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated b alance sheets. ( 4 ) Contingent consideration The fair value measurement of contingent consideration arising from business acquisitions is determined using unobservable (level 3) inputs. These inputs include: (i) the estimated amount and timing of the projected cash flows on which the contingency is based; and (ii) the risk-adjusted discount rate used to calculate the present value of those cash flows. The table below presents a reconciliation of contingent consideration obligations for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 . These obligations are included in long-term liabilities (including the current portion thereof) on the consolidated balance sheets. Quarter ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 $ $ Balance, beginning of period (11,320) (15,279) Fair value adjustments (1) 2,416 (120) Payments - 269 Balance, end of period (8,904) (15,130) (1 ) For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , included an adjustment of $2.5 million to reduce the contingent consideration that may be payable in 2019 under an earn-out arrangement with the former unitholders of Citrusource, LLC (acquired by the Company in March 2015) based on the projected results for the business in fiscal 2018. In addition, for all periods presented, r eflect ed the accretion for the time value of money. ( S ee note 9 . )

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	5 . Inventories March 31, 2018 December 30, 2017 $ $ Raw materials and work-in-process 257,407 262,527 Finished goods 74,191 92,489 Company-owned grain 10,738 9,937 Inventory reserves (7,855) (9,975) 334,481 354,978

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Bank Indebtedness And Long Term Debt [Text Block]	6 . Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt March 31, 2018 December 30, 2017 $ $ Bank indebtedness: Global Credit Facility (1) 233,586 230,502 Bulgarian credit facility 3,051 3,588 236,637 234,090 Long-term debt: Senior Secured Second Lien Notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $7,417 (December 30, 2017 - $7,716) (2) 216,081 215,782 Asset-backed term loan 3,577 3,600 Capital lease obligations 5,102 5,651 Other 3,000 3,000 227,760 228,033 Less: current portion 2,190 2,228 225,570 225,805 (1) Global Credit Facility On February 11, 2016, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million, subject to borrowing base capacity (the “Global Credit Facility”). The Global Credit Facility is used to support the working capital and general corporate needs of the Company’s global operations, in addition to funding future strategic initiatives. The G lobal Credit Facility also includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and provides for borrowings on same-day notice, including in the form of swingline loans. Subject to customary borrowing conditions and the agreement of any such lender s to provide such increased commitments, the Company may request to increase the total lending commitments under the Global Credit Facility to a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450.0 million. Outstanding principal amounts under the Globa l Credit Facility are repayable in full on the maturity date of February 10, 2021 . Individual borrowings under the Global Credit Facility have terms of six months or less and bear interest based on various reference rates, including prime rate and LIBO R plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin in the Global Credit Facility ranges from 1.25% to 1.75% for loans bearing interest based on LIBOR , and from 0.25% to 0.75% for loans bearing interest based on the prime rate and, in each case, is set qua rterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter . As at March 31, 2018 , the weighted-average interest rate on the facilities was 3.93%. On September 19, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), the Company entered into an amendment to the Global Credit Facility to add an additional U.S. asset-based credit subfacility of an aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million (the “New U.S. Subfacility ”). The New U.S. Subfacility was fully drawn on the Effective Date. Amortization payments on the aggregate principal amount of the New U.S. Subf acility are equal to $2.5 million payable at the end of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019. Optional prepayment of borrowings under the New U.S. Sub facility are not permitted until the first anniversary of the Effective Date and are subject to certain availability conditions. Borrowings repaid under the New U.S. Subfacility may not be borrowed again. Borrowings under the New U.S. Subfacility bear in terest at a margin over various reference rates. The applicable margin for the New U.S. Subfacility will be set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter and will range from 2.00% to 2.50% with respect to base rate and prime rate borrowings and from 3.00% to 3.50% for eurocurrency rate and bankers’ acceptance rate borrowings. The initial margin for the New U.S. Subfacility is 2.50% with respect to base rate and prime rate borrowings and 3.50% with respect to eurocu rrency rate borrowings. Obligations under the Global Credit Facility are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s subsidiaries and, subject to certain exceptions, such obligations are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of the ass ets of the Company. The Global Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the Company’s ability to create liens on assets; sell assets and enter into sale and leaseback transactions; pay dividends, prepay junior lien and unsecured indebtedness and make other restricted payments; incur additional indebtedness and make guarantees; make investments, loans or advances, including acquisitions; and engage in mergers or consolidations. The f oregoing covenants are subject to certain threshold amounts and exceptions as set forth in the credit agreement . (2) Senior Secured Second Lien Notes On October 20, 2016, SunOpta Foods issued $231.0 million of 9.5% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”). As at March 31, 2018 , the outstanding principal amount of the Notes was $223.5 million, following the principal repayment of $7.5 million in October 2017. D ebt issuance costs are recorded as a reduction against the principal amount of the Notes and are being amortized over t he six-year term of the Notes. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 at a rate of 9.5% per annum, commencing on April 15, 2017. The Notes will mature on October 9, 2022. Giving effect to the amortization of debt issuance costs, the effective interest rate on the Notes is approximately 10.4% per annum . Prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time and from time to time at a “make-whole” redemption price set forth in the indenture governing the Notes. On or after October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the redemption prices equal to 107.125% through October 8, 2019, 104.750% from October 9, 2019 through October 8, 2020, 102.375% from October 9, 2020 through October 8, 2021 and at par thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. In addition, prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may, on one or more occasions, redeem up t o 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 109.500% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. At any time prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may also redeem, during each twelve-month period beginning on October 20, 2016, up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a price equal to 103.000% of the aggregate principa l amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. In the event of a change of control, SunOpta Foods will be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes at 101.000% of their prin cipal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase . The Notes are secured by second-priority liens on substantially all of the assets that secure the credit facilities provided under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens. The Notes are senior secured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with SunOpta Foods’ existing and futur e senior debt and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated debt. The Notes are effectively subordinated to debt under the Global Credit Facility and any future indebtedness secured on a first priority basis. The Notes are initially guaranteed on a senior secured second-priority basis by the Company and each of its subsidiaries (other than SunOpta Foods) that guarantees indebtedness under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions . The Notes are subject to covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability to (i) incur additional debt or issue preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends and make certain types of investments and other restricted payments; (iii) create liens; (iv) enter into transactions with affiliates; (v) s ell assets; and (vi) create restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends, make loans or advances or transfer assets to the Company, SunOpta Foods or any guarantor of the Notes. The foregoing covenants are subject to certain thre shold amounts and exceptions as set forth in the indenture governing the Notes. In addition, the indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include nonpayment, breach of covenan ts in the indenture, certain payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or holders of at least 25 % in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on, if any, all the Notes to be due and payable . As at March 31, 2018 , the estimated fair value of the outstanding Notes was approximately $240 mil lion, based on quoted prices of recent over-the-counter transactions (Level 2) .

Preferred Shares

Preferred Shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Temporary Equity [Abstract]
Preferred Stock [Text Block]	7 . Series A Preferred S tock On October 7, 2016 (the “Closing Date”), the Company and SunOpta Foods entered into a subscription agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with Oaktree Organics, L.P. and Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund II, L.P. (collectively, the “Investors”). Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, SunOpta Foods issued an aggreg ate of 85,000 shares of Preferred Stock to the Investors for consideration in the amount of $85.0 million. In connection with the issuance of the Preferred Stock, the Company incurred direct and incremental expenses of $6.0 million, which reduced the carr ying value of the Preferred Stock. At any time on or after the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, SunOpta Foods may redeem all of the Preferred Stock for an amount, per share of Preferred Stock, equal to the value of the liquidation preference at such time . The carrying value of the Preferred Stock is being accreted to the redemption amount of $85.0 million through charges to retained earnings/accumulated deficit over the period preceding the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, which accretion amounted to $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , respectively. In connection with the Subscription Agreement, the Company agreed to, among other things (i) ensure SunOpta Foods has sufficient funds to pay its obligations under the terms of the Preferred Stock and (ii) grant each holder of Preferred Stock (the “Holder”) the right to exchange the Preferred Stock for shares of common stock of the Company (the “Common Shares”). The Preferred Stock is non-participating with the Comm on Shares in dividends and undistributed earnings of the Company. The Preferred Stock has a stated value and initial liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Cumulative preferred dividends accrue daily on the Preferred Stock at an annualized rate of 8 .0% prior to October 5, 2025 and 12.5% thereafter, in each case of the liquidation preference (subject to an increase of 1.0% per quarter, up to a maximum rate of 5.0% per quarter on the occurrence of certain events of non-compliance). Prior to October 5, 2025, SunOpta Foods may pay dividends in cash or elect, in lieu of paying cash, to add the amount that would have been paid to the liquidation preference. After October 4, 2025, the failure to pay dividends in cash will be an event of non-compliance. Th e Preferred Stock ranks senior to the shares of common stock of SunOpta Foods with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company or SunOpta Foods . For the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , the Company paid cash dividends on the Preferred Stock of $1.7 million, and, as at March 31, 2018 , the Company had accrued unpaid dividends of $1.7 million, which were recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. At any time, the Holders may exchange their shares of Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, into the number of Common Shares equal to, per share of Preferred Stock, the quotient of the liquidation preference divided by $7.5 0 (such price, the “Exchange Price” and such quotient, the “Exchange Rate”). As at March 31, 2018 , the aggregate shares of Preferred Stock outstanding were exchangeable into 11,333,333 Common Shares. The Exchange Price is subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments, including a weighted-average adjustment for issuances of Common Shares below the Exchange Price, provided that the Exchange Price may not be lower than $7.00 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances). SunOpta Foods may cause the Holde rs to exchange all of the Preferred Stock into a number of Common Shares based on the applicable Exchange Price if (i) fewer than 10% of the shares of Preferred Stock issued on the Closing Date remain outstanding, or (ii) on or after the third anniversary of the Closing Date, the average volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares during the then preceding 20 trading day period is greater than 200% of the Exchange Price. In connection with the Subscription Agreement, the Company issued 11,333,333 Special Shares, Series 1 (the “Special Voting Shares”) to the Investors, which entitle the Investors to one vote per Special Voting Share on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Shares, together as a single class, subject to certain exc eptions. Additional Special Voting Shares will be issued, or existing Special Voting Shares will be redeemed, as necessary to ensure that the aggregate number of Special Voting Shares outstanding is equal to the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstan ding from time to time multiplied by the Exchange Rate in effect at such time. As at March 31, 2018 , 11,333,333 Special Voting Shares were issued and outstanding, which represented an approximate 11.5% voting interest in the Company. The Special Voting S hares are not transferable and the voting rights associated with the Special Voting Shares will terminate upon the transfer of the Preferred Stock to a third party, other than a controlled affiliate of the Investors. The Investors are entitled to designat e up to two nominees for election to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and have the right to designate one individual to attend meetings of the Board as a non-voting observer, subject to the Investors maintaining certain levels of benefic ial ownership of Common Shares on an as-exchanged basis. For so long as the Investors beneficially own or control at least 50% of the Preferred Stock issued on the Closing Date, including any corresponding Common Shares into which such Preferred Stock are exchanged, the Investors will be entitled to (i) participation rights with respect to future equity offerings of the Company, and (ii) governance rights, including the right to approve certain actions proposed to be taken by the Company and its subsidiari es.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block]	8 . Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Net unrealized gains/(losses) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows : March 31, 2018 December 30, 2017 $ $ Currency translation adjustment (5,627) (6,963) Cash flow hedges, net of income taxes 402 (305) (5,225) (7,268)

Other Expense (Income), Net

Other Expense (Income), Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income And Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block]	9 . Other Expense (Income) , Net The components of other expense (income) we re as follows: Quarter ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 $ $ Increase (decrease) in fair value of contingent consideration (see note 4(4)) (2,416) 120 Impairment of long-lived assets and lease obligation costs (1) 1,550 3,723 Product withdrawal and recall costs (2) 323 279 Employee termination costs (3) 232 1,750 Other (91) (429) (402) 5,443 (1) Impairment of long-lived assets and lease obligation costs For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , included the remaining lease obligation related to the vacated nutrition bar processing facility, and an additional impairment loss related to an agreement to sell the Wahpeton roasting facility . For the quarter ended April 1, 2017 , represented the loss on the disposal of the San Bernardino assets , including the cost of the early buyout of the equipment leases . (2) Product withdrawal and recall costs For the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , represented product withdrawal and recall costs that were not eligible for reimbursemen t under the Company’s insurance policies, including certain costs related to the voluntary recall of certain roasted sunflower kernel products initiated by the Company during the second quarter of 2016. (3) Employee termination costs For the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , represented severance benefits, net of forfeitures of stock-based awards, and legal costs incurred in connection with the Value Creation Plan (see note 3 ) .

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	10 . Loss Per Share Basic and diluted loss per share were calculated as follows (shares in thousands) : Quarter ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 Numerator for basic loss per share: Loss attributable to SunOpta Inc. $ (4,363) $ (11,398) Less: dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock (1,967) (1,940) Loss attributable to common shareholders $ (6,330) $ (13,338) Denominator for basic loss per share: Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 86,810 85,929 Basic loss per share $ (0.07) $ (0.16) Numerator for diluted loss per share: Loss attributable to SunOpta Inc. $ (4,363) $ (11,398) Less: dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock (1) (1,967) (1,940) Loss attributable to common shareholders $ (6,330) $ (13,338) Denominator for diluted loss per share: Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 86,810 85,929 Dilutive effect of the following: Series A Preferred Stock (1) - - Stock options and restricted stock units (2) - - Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding 86,810 85,929 Diluted loss per share $ (0.07) $ (0.16) (1) For the quarters ended March 31, 2018 , it was more dilutive to assume the Preferred Stock was not converted into Common Shares and, therefore, the numerator of the diluted loss per share calculation was not adjusted to add back the dividends and accretion on the Preferred Stock and the denominator was not adjusted to include 11,333,333 Common Shares issuable on an if-converted basis. (2) For the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , stock options and restricted stock units to purchase or receive 657,946 and 84,659 Common Shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect of reducing the loss per share. In addition, for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , options to purch ase 1,984,184 and 1,362,347 Common Shares , respectively, were anti-dilutive because the exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market pric e .

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Cash Flow Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]	11 . Supplemental Cash Flow Information Quarter ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 $ $ Changes in non-cash working capital: Accounts receivable (12,359) (11,127) Inventories 18,302 26,358 Income tax recoverable/payable 3,341 (1,460) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (5,376) (4,733) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 381 12,410 Customer and other deposits (1,400) 1,887 2,889 23,335

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	12 . Commitments and Contingencies Employment Matter On April 19, 2013, a class-action complaint, in the case titled De Jesus, et al. v. Frozsun, Inc. d/b/a Frozsun Foods, was filed against Sunrise Growers, Inc. (“Sunrise”) (then named Frozsun , Inc.) in California Superior Court, Santa Barbara County seeking damages, equitable relief and reasonable attorneys’ fees for alleged wage and hour violations. This case includes claims for failure to pay all hours worked, failure to pay overtime wages, meal and rest period violations, waiting-time penalties, improper wage statements and unfair business practices. The putative class includes approximately 10,000 non-exempt hourly employees from Sunrise’s production facilities in Santa Maria and Oxnard, Ca lifornia. The parties attended mediation on October 12, 2017 , and reached a general agreement to resolve the matter on a class-wide basis. After negotiating the remaining details of the settlement, the parties sought preliminary approval of the settlement f rom the court in April 2018, and are awaiting the court order. The Company expects to recover the full amount payable under the settlement through insurance coverage and an escrow account established in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Sunrise. Product Recall On November 20, 2017, Treehouse Foods, Inc., several of its rela ted entities, and its insurer filed a lawsuit against the Company in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois titled Treehouse Foods, Inc. et al. v. SunOpta Grains and Fo od, Inc. The Company was served with the Summons and Complaint on January 24, 2018, and the plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint on April 23, 2018. The plaintiffs allege economic damages resulting from the Company’s 2016 voluntary recall of certain roa sted sunflower kernel products due to the potential for Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The case includes claims for breach of express and implied warranty, negligence, strict liability, and indemnity seeking $16.2 million in damages. There are no allegations of personal injury. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims. The Company cannot reasonably predict the outcome of this claim, nor can it estimate the amount of loss, or range of loss, if any, that may result from this claim. Other Claims In addition, various claims and potential claims arising in the normal course of business are pending against the Company. It is the opinion of management that these claims or potential claims are without merit and the amount of potential liability, if any, to the Company is not determinable. Management believes the final determination of these claims or potential claims will not materially affect the financial position or results of the Company.

Segmented Information

Segmented Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	13 . Segmented Information T he composition of the Company’s reportable segments is as follows: Global Ingredients aggregates the Company’s North American-based Raw Material Sourcing and Supply and European-based International Sourcing and Supply operating segments focused on the procurement and sale of organic commodities and value-added ingredients, and specialty and organic grains and seeds . Consumer Products consists of three main commercial platforms: Healthy Beverages, Healthy Fruit and Healthy Snacks. Healthy Beverages inc ludes aseptic ally- packaged products including non-dairy beverages, broths and teas; refrigerated premium juices; and shelf-stable juices and functional waters. Healthy Fruit includes IQF f ruits for retail; IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice; and cu stom fruit preparations for industrial use. Healthy Snacks is focused on fruit snack offerings, and included flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines, which were exited in 2017. Effective the first quarter of 2018, the Company transfer red certain of its specialty ingredient operations from the Raw Material Sourcing and Supply operating segment to the Healthy Beverages platform of the Consumer Products operating segment. This realignment reflects a change in commercial responsibilities for these operations, and resulting changes in reporting and accountability to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. These operations produce liquid bases, including for the Company’s non-dairy aseptic beverage operations, as well as spray-dried ingredie nts. Revenues and gross profit related to these operations were $3.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , compared with $3.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the quarter ended April 1, 2017 . The segmen t information presented below for the quarter ended April 1, 2017 has been restated to reflect this realignment. In addition, Corporate Services provides a variety of management, financial, information technology, treasury and administration services t o each of the Company’s operating segments from the Company’s headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario and administrative office in Edina, Minnesota. When reviewing the operating results of the Company’s operating segments, management uses segment revenues fr om external customers and segment operating income/loss to assess performance and allocate resources. Segment operating income/loss excludes other income/expense items. In addition, interest expense and income taxes are not allocated to the operating seg ments. Quarter ended March 31, 2018 Global Consumer Ingredients Products Consolidated $ $ $ Segment revenues from external customers 136,331 176,321 312,652 Segment operating income 3,102 3,316 6,418 Corporate Services (4,755) Other income, net (see note 9) 402 Interest expense, net (8,220) Loss before income taxes (6,155) Quarter ended April 1, 2017 Global Consumer Ingredients Products Consolidated $ $ $ Segment revenues from external customers 126,642 203,389 330,031 Segment operating income 4,201 6,498 10,699 Corporate Services (13,655) Other expense, net (see note 9) (5,443) Interest expense, net (7,754) Loss before income taxes (16,153)

Accounting Policies (Policy)

Accounting Policies (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting [Text Block]	The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 , as amended, and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, these condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation have been included and all such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 29, 2018 or for any other period. The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Comp any and its subsidiaries, and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 30, 2017 , except as described below under “Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Adoption of New Accounting Stan dards ” . For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017 .
Fiscal Period [Policy Text Block]	The fiscal year of the Company consists of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 201 8 is a 52-w eek period ending on December 29 , 201 8 , with qua rterly periods ending on March 31, June 30 and September 29 , 201 8. Fiscal year 2017 was a 52-week period ending o n December 30, 2017 , with qua rterly periods ending on April 1, July 1 and September 30 , 201 7 .
New Accounting Pronouncements Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adoption of New Accounting Standard As at December 31, 2017 (the first day of fiscal 2018), the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASC Topic 606”) , which superseded all previous revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. Under this new standard, a company recognizes revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company analyzed its significant customer contracts to determine the effects of ASC Topic 606 . In particular, the Company assessed under the new guidance whether its contracts with customers to produce certain consumer-packaged goods would require the Company to recognize revenue over time versus at a point in time, based on whether the given product has an alternative use and whether there is an enforceable right to payment under the contract for product produced to date. Based on its assessment, the Company concluded that it does not satisfy the criteria to recognize revenue over time. Accordingly, the Company continues to recognize revenue at a point in time cons istent with its previous policies and processes, which is typically when title and physical possession of the product has transferred to the customer. The Company also transacts with certain customers on a bill-and-hold basis, whereby the Company bills a customer for product to be delivered at a later date . Prior to the adoption of ASC Topic 606 , the Company deferred the recognition of revenue related to these bill-and-hold arrangements, as the arrangements did not typically include a fixed delivery sched ule. As this criterion is no longer a consideration under ASC Topic 606 , these arrangements now qualify for revenue recognition at the point in time that the customer obtains control of the goods . With the exception of bill-and-hold arrangements, the adoption of ASC Topic 606 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and revenue recognition practices, or its internal controls. The Company adopted ASC Topic 606 using the modified retrospective approach, which resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment of $0.3 million to opening accumulated deficit as at December 31, 2017, related to the recognition of $4.8 million of bill-and-hold revenue deferred under previous U.S. GAAP . The change in the timing of the recognition of bill-and-hold revenue did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 or consolidated balance sheet as at March 31, 2018 . See note 2 for additional disclosures under ASC Topic 606 . Recently Issued Accounting Standards, Not Adopted as at March 31, 2018 In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“ FASB ”) issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, which requires measurement and recognition of expected versus incurred credit losses for most financial assets. ASU 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases”, a comprehensive new standard that amends various aspects of existing accounting guidance for leases, including the recognition of a right of use asset and a lease liability for leases with a duration of greater than one year. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, includi ng interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consoli dated financial statements . The Company anticipates that upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, it will recognize significant additional right-to-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on its balance sheet , related to existing operating leases .

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Abstract]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Table Text Block]	The following table presents a disaggregation of the Company ’ s revenues based on categories used by the Company to evaluate sales performance: Quarter ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 $ $ Global Ingredients Internationally-sourced organic ingredients 102,267 84,641 North American-sourced grains and seeds 34,064 42,001 Total Global Ingredients 136,331 126,642 Consumer Products Beverage products (1) 85,250 81,242 Frozen fruit products (2) 77,471 98,330 Snack products (3) 13,600 23,817 Total Consumer Products 176,321 203,389 Total revenues 312,652 330,031 Includes aseptically-packaged products including non-dairy beverages, broths and teas; refrigerated premium juices; and shelf-stable juices and functional waters. Includes individually quick frozen (“IQF”) fruits for retail; IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice; and custom fruit preparations for industrial use. Includes fruit snack offerings, as well as flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar products, wh ich were exited in 2017 (see note 3 ) .

Value Creation Plan (Tables)

Value Creation Plan (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule Of Restructuring And Related Costs [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes costs incurred under the Value Creation Plan for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 : (a) (b) (c) Employee Asset recruitment, Consulting impairments retention and fees and and facility termination temporary closure costs costs labor costs Total $ $ $ $ March 31, 2018 Balance payable (receivable), December 30, 2017 (1) (700) 4,427 - 3,727 Costs incurred and charged to expense 1,650 435 110 2,195 Cash receipts (payments), net 700 (2,883) (110) (2,293) Non-cash adjustments (339) - - (339) Balance payable, March 31, 2018 (1) 1,311 1,979 - 3,290 April 1, 2017 Balance payable, December 31, 2016 - 1,803 1,657 3,460 Costs incurred and charged to expense 4,095 3,478 9,710 17,283 Cash payments (3,581) (2,578) (1,774) (7,933) Non-cash adjustments (714) 276 - (438) Balance payable (receivable), April 1, 2017 (200) 2,979 9,593 12,372 Balance payable was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and balance receivable was included in accounts receivable on the consolidated balance sheet . The following table summarizes costs incurred since the inception of the Value Creation Plan to March 31, 2018 : Employee Asset recruitment, Consulting impairments retention and fees and and facility termination temporary closure costs costs labor costs Total $ $ $ $ Costs incurred and charged to expense 34,938 14,816 20,679 70,433 Cash payments, net (10,046) (13,260) (20,679) (43,985) Non-cash adjustments (23,581) 423 - (23,158) Balance payable, March 31, 2018 1,311 1,979 - 3,290 For the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , costs incurred and charged to expense were recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as follows: Quarter ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 $ $ Cost of goods sold (1) 100 372 Selling, general and administrative expenses (2) 313 11,438 Other expense (3) 1,782 5,473 2,195 17,283 (1 ) F acility closure costs, including inventory write-downs, recorded in cost of goods sold were allocated to the Consumer Products operating segment. (2) Consulting fees and temporary labor costs, and employee recruitment, relocation and retention costs recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses were allocated to Corporate Services. (3) For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , asset impairment , lease obligation and employee termination costs recorded in other expense were allocated as follows: Raw Material Sourcing and Supply operating segment - $ 0.3 million ( April 1, 2017 – $nil) ; Consumer Products operating segment - $ 1.3 million ( April 1, 2017 – $4.7 million) ; and Corporate Services - $ 0.1 million ( April 1, 2017 – $0.8 million).

Derivative Financial Instrume24

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	The following table presents for each of the fair value hierarchies, the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 30, 2017 : March 31, 2018 Fair value asset (liability) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 $ $ $ $ Commodity futures and forward contracts (1) Current asset 202 - 202 - Long-term asset 45 - 45 - Current liability (1,266) (56) (1,210) - Long-term liability (8) - (8) - Inventories carried at market (2) 4,368 - 4,368 - Forward foreign currency contracts (3) Not designated as hedging instruments (710) - (710) - Designated as hedging instruments 575 - 575 - Contingent consideration (4) (8,904) - - (8,904) Embedded derivative 2,690 - - 2,690 December 30, 2017 Fair value asset (liability) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 $ $ $ $ Commodity futures and forward contracts (1) Current asset 738 - 738 - Current liability (240) (35) (205) - Long-term liability (4) - (4) - Inventories carried at market (2) 3,838 - 3,838 - Forward foreign currency contracts (3) Not designated as hedging instruments (1,060) - (1,060) - Designated as hedging instruments (435) - (435) - Contingent consideration (4) (11,320) - - (11,320) Embedded derivative 2,690 - - 2,690
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]	As at March 31, 2018 , the notional amounts of open commodity futures and forward purchase and sale contracts were as follows (in thousands of bushels): Number of bushels purchased (sold) Corn Soybeans Forward commodity purchase contracts 799 393 Forward commodity sale contracts (326) (899) Commodity futures contracts (750) 210
Schedule Of Business Acquisitions By Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block]	Quarter ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 $ $ Balance, beginning of period (11,320) (15,279) Fair value adjustments (1) 2,416 (120) Payments - 269 Balance, end of period (8,904) (15,130) (1 ) For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , included an adjustment of $2.5 million to reduce the contingent consideration that may be payable in 2019 under an earn-out arrangement with the former unitholders of Citrusource, LLC (acquired by the Company in March 2015) based on the projected results for the business in fiscal 2018. In addition, for all periods presented, r eflect ed the accretion for the time value of money. ( S ee note 9 . )

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	March 31, 2018 December 30, 2017 $ $ Raw materials and work-in-process 257,407 262,527 Finished goods 74,191 92,489 Company-owned grain 10,738 9,937 Inventory reserves (7,855) (9,975) 334,481 354,978

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Te26

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Short-term Debt [Abstract]
Schedule Of Line Of Credit Facilities And Long Term Debt [Table Text Block]	March 31, 2018 December 30, 2017 $ $ Bank indebtedness: Global Credit Facility (1) 233,586 230,502 Bulgarian credit facility 3,051 3,588 236,637 234,090 Long-term debt: Senior Secured Second Lien Notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $7,417 (December 30, 2017 - $7,716) (2) 216,081 215,782 Asset-backed term loan 3,577 3,600 Capital lease obligations 5,102 5,651 Other 3,000 3,000 227,760 228,033 Less: current portion 2,190 2,228 225,570 225,805

Accumulated Other Comprehensi27

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Table)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Schedule Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Table Text Block]	Net unrealized gains/(losses) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows : March 31, 2018 December 30, 2017 $ $ Currency translation adjustment (5,627) (6,963) Cash flow hedges, net of income taxes 402 (305) (5,225) (7,268)

Other Expense (Income), Net (Ta

Other Expense (Income), Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Income And Other Expense Disclosure [Table Text Block]	The components of other expense (income) we re as follows: Quarter ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 $ $ Increase (decrease) in fair value of contingent consideration (see note 4(4)) (2,416) 120 Impairment of long-lived assets and lease obligation costs (1) 1,550 3,723 Product withdrawal and recall costs (2) 323 279 Employee termination costs (3) 232 1,750 Other (91) (429) (402) 5,443

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Basic and diluted loss per share were calculated as follows (shares in thousands) : Quarter ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 Numerator for basic loss per share: Loss attributable to SunOpta Inc. $ (4,363) $ (11,398) Less: dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock (1,967) (1,940) Loss attributable to common shareholders $ (6,330) $ (13,338) Denominator for basic loss per share: Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 86,810 85,929 Basic loss per share $ (0.07) $ (0.16) Numerator for diluted loss per share: Loss attributable to SunOpta Inc. $ (4,363) $ (11,398) Less: dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock (1) (1,967) (1,940) Loss attributable to common shareholders $ (6,330) $ (13,338) Denominator for diluted loss per share: Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 86,810 85,929 Dilutive effect of the following: Series A Preferred Stock (1) - - Stock options and restricted stock units (2) - - Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding 86,810 85,929 Diluted loss per share $ (0.07) $ (0.16) (1) For the quarters ended March 31, 2018 , it was more dilutive to assume the Preferred Stock was not converted into Common Shares and, therefore, the numerator of the diluted loss per share calculation was not adjusted to add back the dividends and accretion on the Preferred Stock and the denominator was not adjusted to include 11,333,333 Common Shares issuable on an if-converted basis. (2) For the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , stock options and restricted stock units to purchase or receive 657,946 and 84,659 Common Shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect of reducing the loss per share. In addition, for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , options to purch ase 1,984,184 and 1,362,347 Common Shares , respectively, were anti-dilutive because the exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market pric e .

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform30

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Quarter ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 $ $ Changes in non-cash working capital: Accounts receivable (12,359) (11,127) Inventories 18,302 26,358 Income tax recoverable/payable 3,341 (1,460) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (5,376) (4,733) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 381 12,410 Customer and other deposits (1,400) 1,887 2,889 23,335

Segmented Information (Tables)

Segmented Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Quarter ended March 31, 2018 Global Consumer Ingredients Products Consolidated $ $ $ Segment revenues from external customers 136,331 176,321 312,652 Segment operating income 3,102 3,316 6,418 Corporate Services (4,755) Other income, net (see note 9) 402 Interest expense, net (8,220) Loss before income taxes (6,155) Quarter ended April 1, 2017 Global Consumer Ingredients Products Consolidated $ $ $ Segment revenues from external customers 126,642 203,389 330,031 Segment operating income 4,201 6,498 10,699 Corporate Services (13,655) Other expense, net (see note 9) (5,443) Interest expense, net (7,754) Loss before income taxes (16,153)

Description of Business and S32

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Basis Of Presentation Fiscal Year End And New Accounting Pronouncements Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Cycle	The fiscal year of the Company consists of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2018 is a 52-week period ending on December 29, 2018, with quarterly periods ending on March 31, June 30 and September 29, 2018. Fiscal year 2017 was a 52-week period ending on December 30, 2017, with quarterly periods ending on April 1, July 1 and September 30, 2017.
Year Founded	1,973

Revenue (Details)

Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	$ 312,652	$ 330,031
Global Ingredients [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	136,331	126,642
Global Ingredients [Member] | Internationally-sourced organic ingredients [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	102,267	84,641
Global Ingredients [Member] | North American-sourced grains and seeds [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	34,064	42,001
Consumer Products [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	176,321	203,389
Consumer Products [Member] | Beverage products [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	85,250	81,242
Consumer Products [Member] | Frozen fruit products [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	77,471	98,330
Consumer Products [Member] | Snack products [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	$ 13,600	$ 23,817

Value Creation Plan (Exiting Fl

Value Creation Plan (Exiting Flexible Resealable Pouch and Nutrition Bar Product Lines and Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 312,652	$ 330,031
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$ (6,155)	(16,153)
Nutrition Bar [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Description	For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the loss before income taxes from these operations included the recognition of the remaining lease obligation of $1.3 million related to the vacated nutrition bar processing facility. These operations are included in the Consumer Products operating segment.
Flexible Resealable Pouch and Nutrition Bar [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,600	15,400
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$ (1,300)	$ (2,000)

Value Creation Plan (Table) (De

Value Creation Plan (Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017		Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold		$ 278,968	$ 291,332
Selling, general and administrative expenses		28,288	38,272
Value Creation Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges		2,195	17,283
Cash receipts (payments), net		(2,293)	(7,933)
Restructuring Reserve Settled Without Cash		(339)	(438)
Restructuring Reserve		3,290	12,372		$ 3,727	$ 3,460
Restructuring And Related Cost, Cost Incurred To Date1		70,433
Cash receipts (payments), net, to date		(43,985)
Restructuring Reserve Settled Without Cash, To Date		(23,158)
Cost of goods sold	[1]	100	372
Selling, general and administrative expenses	[2]	313	11,438
Other Expense	[3]	1,782	5,473
Facility Closing [Member] | Value Creation Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges		1,650	4,095	[4]
Cash receipts (payments), net		700	(3,581)
Restructuring Reserve Settled Without Cash		(339)	(714)
Restructuring Reserve		1,311	(200)		(700)	0
Restructuring And Related Cost, Cost Incurred To Date1		34,938
Cash receipts (payments), net, to date		(10,046)
Restructuring Reserve Settled Without Cash, To Date		(23,581)
Consulting and temporary labour costs | Value Creation Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges		110	9,710
Cash receipts (payments), net		(110)	(1,774)
Restructuring Reserve Settled Without Cash		0	0
Restructuring Reserve		0	9,593		0	1,657
Restructuring And Related Cost, Cost Incurred To Date1		20,679
Cash receipts (payments), net, to date		(20,679)
Restructuring Reserve Settled Without Cash, To Date		0
Employee Recruitment Retention and Termination Costs [Member] | Value Creation Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges		435	3,478
Cash receipts (payments), net		(2,883)	(2,578)
Restructuring Reserve Settled Without Cash		0	276
Restructuring Reserve		1,979	$ 2,979		$ 4,427	$ 1,803
Restructuring And Related Cost, Cost Incurred To Date1		14,816
Cash receipts (payments), net, to date		(13,260)
Restructuring Reserve Settled Without Cash, To Date		$ 423
[1]	F acility closure costs, including inventory write-downs, recorded in cost of goods sold were allocated to the Consumer Products operating segment.
[2]	Consulting fees and temporary labor costs, and employee recruitment, relocation and retention costs recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses were allocated to Corporate Services.
[3]	For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , asset impairment , lease obligation and employee termination costs recorded in other expense were allocated as follows: Raw Material Sourcing and Supply operating segment - $ 0.3 million ( April 1, 2017 – $nil) ; Consumer Products operating segment - $ 1.3 million ( April 1, 2017 – $4.7 million) ; and Corporate Services - $ 0.1 million ( April 1, 2017 – $0.8 million).
[4]	For the quarter ended April 1, 2017 , cost incurred included the early buyout of the San Bernardino equipment leases , as well as closure costs related to the San Bernardino facility prior to its disposal to the landlord. In exchange for the San Bernardino assets, the facility landlord released the Company from its remaining property lease obligation and paid proceeds of $0.2 million in December 2017 .

Value Creation Plan (Narrative)

Value Creation Plan (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring And Related Activities Description	On October 7, 2016, the Company entered into a strategic partnership with Oaktree Capital Management L.P., a private equity investor (together with its affiliates, “Oaktree”). On October 7, 2016, Oaktree invested $85.0 million through the purchase of cumulative, non-participating Series A Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SunOpta Foods Inc. (“SunOpta Foods”) (see note ##Pref). Following the strategic partnership, with the assistance of Oaktree, the Company conducted a thorough review of its operations, management and governance, with the objective of maximizing the Company’s ability to deliver long-term value to its shareholders. As a product of this review, the Company developed a Value Creation Plan built on four pillars: portfolio optimization, operational excellence, go-to-market effectiveness and process sustainability. The Company engaged third-party management consulting firms to support the design and implementation of the Value Creation Plan.

Derivative Financial Instrume37

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Schedule of Fair Value Measurements) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration	$ (8,904)	$ (11,320)	$ (15,130)	$ (15,279)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market	4,368	3,838
Contingent Consideration	(8,904)	(11,320)
Embedded Derivative	2,690	2,690
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset Notional Amount	(710)	(1,060)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Assets At Fair Value	575	(435)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	202	738
Unrealized Derivative Liability	(1,266)	(240)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	45	0
Unrealized Derivative Liability	(8)	(4)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market	0	0
Contingent Consideration	0	0
Embedded Derivative	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset Notional Amount	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Assets At Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Short [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	0	0
Unrealized Derivative Liability	(56)	(35)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Long [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	0	0
Unrealized Derivative Liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market	4,368	3,838
Contingent Consideration	0	0
Embedded Derivative	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset Notional Amount	(710)	(1,060)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Assets At Fair Value	575	(435)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Short [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	202	738
Unrealized Derivative Liability	(1,210)	(205)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Long [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	45	0
Unrealized Derivative Liability	(8)	(4)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market	0	0
Contingent Consideration	(8,904)	(11,320)
Embedded Derivative	2,690	2,690
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset Notional Amount	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Assets At Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Short [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	0	0
Unrealized Derivative Liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Long [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	0	0
Unrealized Derivative Liability	$ 0	$ 0

Derivative Financial Instrume38

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Notional Amounts) (Details) bu in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018bubulots	Dec. 30, 2017lots
Corn [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market Unit	235,992
Soybean [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market Unit	292,019
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member] | Cocoa [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | lots	716	299
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future And Forward Purchase Contracts [Member] | Corn [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	799
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future And Forward Purchase Contracts [Member] | Soybean [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	393
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future And Forward Sale Contracts [Member] | Corn [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	(326)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future And Forward Sale Contracts [Member] | Soybean [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	(899)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future [Member] | Corn [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	(750)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future [Member] | Soybean [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	210

Derivative Financial Instrume39

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Foreign Forward Currency Contracts Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions, £ in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2018GBP (£)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018MXN ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instrument	$ (1,521)	$ (38)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	(400)	(900)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | EUR
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount			€ 12.8		$ 15,200
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | GBP
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount			€ 0.4	£ 0.4
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instrument	800	$ 1,800
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | USD
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					11,100	$ 214.5
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Member
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassified To Earnings Net	$ (200)
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss To Be Reclassified During Next 12 Months					$ (600)

Derivative Financial Instrume40

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Contingent Consideration Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Rollforward]
Beginning Balance - Contingent Consideration		$ (11,320)	$ (15,279)
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred		0	0
Payments For Proceeds From Previous Acquisition		0	269
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration	[1]	2,416	(120)
Ending Balance - Contingent Consideration		$ (8,904)	$ (15,130)
[1]	For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , included an adjustment of $2.5 million to reduce the contingent consideration that may be payable in 2019 under an earn-out arrangement with the former unitholders of Citrusource, LLC (acquired by the Company in March 2015) based on the projected results for the business in fiscal 2018. In addition, for all periods presented, r eflect ed the accretion for the time value of money. ( S ee note 9 . )

Inventories (Details)

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials and work-in-process	$ 257,407	$ 262,527
Finished goods	74,191	92,489
Company-owned grain	10,738	9,937
Inventory reserves	(7,855)	(9,975)
Total Inventory, Net	$ 334,481	$ 354,978

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Te42

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt (Bank Indebtedness Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 236,637	$ 234,090
Global Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	233,586	230,502
Bulgarian Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 3,051	$ 3,588

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Te43

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt (Long Term Debt Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes	$ 216,081	$ 215,782
Principal Amount Outstanding On Loans Securitized	3,577	3,600
Capital Lease Obligations	5,102	5,651
Other Long-term Debt	3,000	3,000
Total Long-term and Current Term Debt	227,760	228,033
Current portion of long-term debt	2,190	2,228
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Total	225,570	225,805
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ 7,417	$ 7,716

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Te44

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Global Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date	Feb. 11, 2016
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 350
Line Of Credit Facility Increase Decrease In Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 100
Line of Credit Facility, Description	On February 11, 2016, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million, subject to borrowing base capacity (the “Global Credit Facility”). The Global Credit Facility is used to support the working capital and general corporate needs of the Company’s global operations, in addition to funding future strategic initiatives. The Global Credit Facility also includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and provides for borrowings on same-day notice, including in the form of swingline loans. Subject to customary borrowing conditions and the agreement of any such lenders to provide such increased commitments, the Company may request to increase the total lending commitments under the Global Credit Facility to a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450.0 million. Outstanding principal amounts under the Global Credit Facility are repayable in full on the maturity date of February 10, 2021. Individual borrowings under the Global Credit Facility have terms of six months or less and bear interest based on various reference rates, including prime rate and LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin in the Global Credit Facility ranges from 1.25% to 1.75% for loans bearing interest based on LIBOR, and from 0.25% to 0.75% for loans bearing interest based on the prime rate and, in each case, is set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter. As at March 31, 2018, the weighted-average interest rate on the facilities was 3.93%. On September 19, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), the Company entered into an amendment to the Global Credit Facility to add an additional U.S. asset-based credit subfacility of an aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million (the “New U.S. Subfacility”). The New U.S. Subfacility was fully drawn on the Effective Date. Amortization payments on the aggregate principal amount of the New U.S. Subfacility are equal to $2.5 million payable at the end of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019. Optional prepayment of borrowings under the New U.S. Subfacility are not permitted until the first anniversary of the Effective Date and are subject to certain availability conditions. Borrowings repaid under the New U.S. Subfacility may not be borrowed again. Borrowings under the New U.S. Subfacility bear interest at a margin over various reference rates. The applicable margin for the New U.S. Subfacility will be set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter and will range from 2.00% to 2.50% with respect to base rate and prime rate borrowings and from 3.00% to 3.50% for eurocurrency rate and bankers’ acceptance rate borrowings. The initial margin for the New U.S. Subfacility is 2.50% with respect to base rate and prime rate borrowings and 3.50% with respect to eurocurrency rate borrowings. Obligations under the Global Credit Facility are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s subsidiaries and, subject to certain exceptions, such obligations are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company. The Global Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the Company’s ability to create liens on assets; sell assets and enter into sale and leaseback transactions; pay dividends, prepay junior lien and unsecured indebtedness and make other restricted payments; incur additional indebtedness and make guarantees; make investments, loans or advances, including acquisitions; and engage in mergers or consolidations. The foregoing covenants are subject to certain threshold amounts and exceptions as set forth in the credit agreement.
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	Feb. 10, 2021
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.93%
New US Subfacility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility, Amendment Date	Sep. 19, 2017
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 15
Line of Credit Facility, Description	On September 19, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), the Company entered into an amendment to the Global Credit Facility to add an additional U.S. asset-based credit subfacility of an aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million (the “New U.S. Subfacility”). The New U.S. Subfacility was fully drawn on the Effective Date. Amortization payments on the aggregate principal amount of the New U.S. Subfacility are equal to $2.5 million payable at the end of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019. Optional prepayment of borrowings under the New U.S. Subfacility are not permitted until the first anniversary of the Effective Date and are subject to certain availability conditions. Borrowings repaid under the New U.S. Subfacility may not be borrowed again. Borrowings under the New U.S. Subfacility bear interest at a margin over various reference rates. The applicable margin for the New U.S. Subfacility will be set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter and will range from 2.00% to 2.50% with respect to base rate and prime rate borrowings and from 3.00% to 3.50% for eurocurrency rate and bankers’ acceptance rate borrowings. The initial margin for the New U.S. Subfacility is 2.50% with respect to base rate and prime rate borrowings and 3.50% with respect to eurocurrency rate borrowings.
Line of Credit Facility, Date of First Required Payment	Mar. 31, 2019
Line Of Credit Facility Periodic Payment Principal	$ 2.5
Line Of Credit Facility Frequency Of Payments	Amortization payments on the aggregate principal amount of the New U.S. Subfacility are equal to $2.5 million payable at the end of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019.
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of Line of Credit Facilities	$ 7.5
Debt Instrument Description	On October 20, 2016, SunOpta Foods issued $231.0 million of 9.5% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”). As at March 31, 2018, the outstanding principal amount of the Notes was $223.5 million, following the principal repayment of $7.5 million in October 2017. Debt issuance costs are recorded as a reduction against the principal amount of the Notes and are being amortized over the six-year term of the Notes. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 at a rate of 9.5% per annum, commencing on April 15, 2017. The Notes will mature on October 9, 2022. Giving effect to the amortization of debt issuance costs, the effective interest rate on the Notes is approximately 10.4% per annum.
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date	Oct. 20, 2016
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 231
Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment	Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 at a rate of 9.5% per annum, commencing on April 15, 2017.
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Oct. 9, 2022
Debt Instrument Redemption Description	Prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time and from time to time at a “make-whole” redemption price set forth in the indenture governing the Notes. On or after October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the redemption prices equal to 107.125% through October 8, 2019, 104.750% from October 9, 2019 through October 8, 2020, 102.375% from October 9, 2020 through October 8, 2021 and at par thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. In addition, prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 109.500% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. At any time prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may also redeem, during each twelve-month period beginning on October 20, 2016, up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a price equal to 103.000% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. In the event of a change of control, SunOpta Foods will be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes at 101.000% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. The Notes are secured by second-priority liens on substantially all of the assets that secure the credit facilities provided under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens. The Notes are senior secured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with SunOpta Foods’ existing and future senior debt and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated debt. The Notes are effectively subordinated to debt under the Global Credit Facility and any future indebtedness secured on a first priority basis. The Notes are initially guaranteed on a senior secured second-priority basis by the Company and each of its subsidiaries (other than SunOpta Foods) that guarantees indebtedness under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions. The Notes are subject to covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability to (i) incur additional debt or issue preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends and make certain types of investments and other restricted payments; (iii) create liens; (iv) enter into transactions with affiliates; (v) sell assets; and (vi) create restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends, make loans or advances or transfer assets to the Company, SunOpta Foods or any guarantor of the Notes. The foregoing covenants are subject to certain threshold amounts and exceptions as set forth in the indenture governing the Notes. In addition, the indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include nonpayment, breach of covenants in the indenture, certain payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on, if any, all the Notes to be due and payable. As at March 31, 2018, the estimated fair value of the outstanding Notes was approximately $240 million, based on quoted prices of recent over-the-counter transactions (Level 2).
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage	10.40%

Preferred Shares (Narrative) (D

Preferred Shares (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Dividends	$ (1,700)	$ (1,700)
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | Oaktree Organics, L.P. and Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund II, L.P.
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Shares Issued	85,000
Preferred Stock Value	$ 85,000
Preferred Stock Issuance Costs	$ 6,000
Preferred Stock Redemption Terms	At any time on or after the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, SunOpta Foods may redeem all of the Preferred Stock for an amount, per share of Preferred Stock, equal to the value of the liquidation preference at such time. The carrying value of the Preferred Stock is being accreted to the redemption amount of $85.0 million through charges to retained earnings/accumulated deficit over the period preceding the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, which accretion amounted to $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, respectively.
Preferred Stock Accretion To Redemption Value2	$ 300	$ 200
Preferred Stock Dividend Preference Or Restrictions	In connection with the Subscription Agreement, the Company agreed to, among other things (i) ensure SunOpta Foods has sufficient funds to pay its obligations under the terms of the Preferred Stock and (ii) grant each holder of Preferred Stock (the “Holder”) the right to exchange the Preferred Stock for shares of common stock of the Company (the “Common Shares”). The Preferred Stock is non-participating with the Common Shares in dividends and undistributed earnings of the Company.
Preferred Stock Liquidation Preference	$ 1,000
Preferred Stock Dividend Payment Terms	Cumulative preferred dividends accrue daily on the Preferred Stock at an annualized rate of 8.0% prior to October 5, 2025 and 12.5% thereafter, in each case of the liquidation preference (subject to an increase of 1.0% per quarter, up to a maximum rate of 5.0% per quarter on the occurrence of certain events of non-compliance). Prior to October 5, 2025, SunOpta Foods may pay dividends in cash or elect, in lieu of paying cash, to add the amount that would have been paid to the liquidation preference. After October 4, 2025, the failure to pay dividends in cash will be an event of non-compliance. The Preferred Stock ranks senior to the shares of common stock of SunOpta Foods with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company or SunOpta Foods.
Convertible Preferred Stock Terms Of Conversion	At any time, the Holders may exchange their shares of Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, into the number of Common Shares equal to, per share of Preferred Stock, the quotient of the liquidation preference divided by $7.50 (such price, the “Exchange Price” and such quotient, the “Exchange Rate”). As at March 31, 2018, the aggregate shares of Preferred Stock outstanding were exchangeable into 11,333,333 Common Shares. The Exchange Price is subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments, including a weighted-average adjustment for issuances of Common Shares below the Exchange Price, provided that the Exchange Price may not be lower than $7.00 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances).
Convertible Preferred Stock Settlement Terms	SunOpta Foods may cause the Holders to exchange all of the Preferred Stock into a number of Common Shares based on the applicable Exchange Price if (i) fewer than 10% of the shares of Preferred Stock issued on the Closing Date remain outstanding, or (ii) on or after the third anniversary of the Closing Date, the average volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares during the then preceding 20 trading day period is greater than 200% of the Exchange Price.
Preferred Stock Voting Rights	In connection with the Subscription Agreement, the Company issued 11,333,333 Special Shares, Series 1 (the “Special Voting Shares”) to the Investors, which entitle the Investors to one vote per Special Voting Share on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Shares, together as a single class, subject to certain exceptions. Additional Special Voting Shares will be issued, or existing Special Voting Shares will be redeemed, as necessary to ensure that the aggregate number of Special Voting Shares outstanding is equal to the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding from time to time multiplied by the Exchange Rate in effect at such time. As at March 31, 2018, 11,333,333 Special Voting Shares were issued and outstanding, which represented an approximate 11.5% voting interest in the Company. The Special Voting Shares are not transferable and the voting rights associated with the Special Voting Shares will terminate upon the transfer of the Preferred Stock to a third party, other than a controlled affiliate of the Investors. The Investors are entitled to designate up to two nominees for election to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and have the right to designate one individual to attend meetings of the Board as a non-voting observer, subject to the Investors maintaining certain levels of beneficial ownership of Common Shares on an as-exchanged basis.
Preferred Stock Participation Rights	For so long as the Investors beneficially own or control at least 50% of the Preferred Stock issued on the Closing Date, including any corresponding Common Shares into which such Preferred Stock are exchanged, the Investors will be entitled to (i) participation rights with respect to future equity offerings of the Company, and (ii) governance rights, including the right to approve certain actions proposed to be taken by the Company and its subsidiaries.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi46

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Currency translation adjustment	$ (5,627)	$ (6,963)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Effect Net Of Tax	402	(305)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$ (5,225)	$ (7,268)

Other Expense (Income), Net (47

Other Expense (Income), Net (Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration	[1]	$ (2,416)	$ 120
Impairment of long-lived assets and lease obligation costs		1,550	3,723
Product Withdrawal and recall costs		323	279
Employee severance costs		232	1,750
Other		(91)	(429)
Total Other Expense, net		$ (402)	$ 5,443
[1]	For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 , included an adjustment of $2.5 million to reduce the contingent consideration that may be payable in 2019 under an earn-out arrangement with the former unitholders of Citrusource, LLC (acquired by the Company in March 2015) based on the projected results for the business in fiscal 2018. In addition, for all periods presented, r eflect ed the accretion for the time value of money. ( S ee note 9 . )

Earnings Per Share (Table) (Det

Earnings Per Share (Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.	$ (4,363)	$ (11,398)
Dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock	(1,967)	(1,940)
Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders	$ (6,330)	$ (13,338)
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	86,810,000	85,929,000
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Including Options and Restrictive Stock Units	0	0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	86,810,000	85,929,000
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,984,184	1,362,347
Earnings (loss) per share - basic
Basic	$ (0.07)	$ (0.16)
Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
Diluted	$ (0.07)	$ (0.16)
Options Held [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Including Options and Restrictive Stock Units	0	0
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	657,946	84,659
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Including Options and Restrictive Stock Units	0	0
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	11,333,333

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform49

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	$ (12,359)	$ (11,127)
Inventories	18,302	26,358
Income tax recoverable/payable	3,341	(1,460)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(5,376)	(4,733)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	381	12,410
Customer and other deposits	(1,400)	1,887
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital	$ 2,889	$ 23,335

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Damages Sought	On November 20, 2017, Treehouse Foods, Inc., several of its related entities, and its insurer filed a lawsuit against the Company in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois titled Treehouse Foods, Inc. et al. v. SunOpta Grains and Food, Inc. The Company was served with the Summons and Complaint on January 24, 2018, and the plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint on April 23, 2018. The plaintiffs allege economic damages resulting from the Company’s 2016 voluntary recall of certain roasted sunflower kernel products due to the potential for Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The case includes claims for breach of express and implied warranty, negligence, strict liability, and indemnity seeking $16.2 million in damages. There are no allegations of personal injury. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims. The Company cannot reasonably predict the outcome of this claim, nor can it estimate the amount of loss, or range of loss, if any, that may result from this claim.
Loss Contingency Damages Sought Value	$ 16.2

Segmented Information (Table) (

Segmented Information (Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	$ 312,652	$ 330,031
Segment operating income	6,418	10,699
Other income (expense), net	402	(5,443)
Interest expense, net	(8,220)	(7,754)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(6,155)	(16,153)
Global Ingredients [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	136,331	126,642
Segment operating income	3,102	4,201
Consumer Products [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	176,321	203,389
Segment operating income	3,316	6,498
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment operating income	$ (4,755)	$ (13,655)

Segmented Information (Narrativ

Segmented Information (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Description Of Effect On Previously Reported Segment Information For Change In Composition Of Reportable Segments	Effective the first quarter of 2018, the Company transferred certain of its specialty ingredient operations from the Raw Material Sourcing and Supply operating segment to the Healthy Beverages platform of the Consumer Products operating segment. This realignment reflects a change in commercial responsibilities for these operations, and resulting changes in reporting and accountability to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. These operations produce liquid bases, including for the Company’s non-dairy aseptic beverage operations, as well as spray-dried ingredients. Revenues and gross profit related to these operations were $3.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared with $3.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the quarter ended April 1, 2017. The segment information presented below for the quarter ended April 1, 2017 has been restated to reflect this realignment.