EXHIBIT 99.1



                                                     August 12, 2002



VIA EDGAR


Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

         Re:      Seneca Foods Corporation
                  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                  For the Quarterly Period ended June 29, 2002

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Transmitted  herewith are written statements pursuant to 18 U.S.C.  Section
1350 as adopted  pursuant  to Section 906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of 2002 to
accompany the above-captioned periodic report.

                                                  Very truly yours,

                                                  SENECA FOODS CORPORATION



                                                  By:/s/Jeffrey L.  Van Riper
                                                        Jeffrey L. Van Riper
                                                        Controller & Secretary