Exhibit 23

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in this  Post-Effective  Amendment
No. 1 of  Registration  Statement No.  333-12365 of Seneca Foods  Corporation on
Form S-8 of our reports  dated May 26, 2000,  appearing in and  incorporated  by
reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Seneca Foods  Corporation for the
year ended March 31, 2000.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Rochester, New York
June 22, 2000