Securities and Exchange Commission
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   Form 12b-25

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING
                                                                  SEC FILING NO.
                                                                          0-1989

                                  CUSIP NUMBER
                                                                       817070501
                                                                       817070105

Check One:[ ] Form 10-K [ ] Form 20-F [ ] Form 11-K [X] Form 10-Q [ ] Form N-SAR

                  For Period Ended: June 28, 2003

                  [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
                  [ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F
                  [ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
                  [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
                  [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR

                  For the Transition Period Ended:  N/A

         Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission
 has verified any information contained herein.

         If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above,
identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates: N/A

Part I            Registrant Information

Full Name of Registrant: SENECA FOODS CORPORATION

Former Name if Applicable: N/A

Address of Principal Executive Office:  3736 South Main Street
                                        Marion, New York 14505


Part II           Rules 12b-25(b) and (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b- 25(b), the following
should be completed. (Check box if appropriate).

         (a)      The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
                  form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or
                  expense;
[X]      (b)      The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition
                  report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion
                  thereof will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day
                  following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly
                  report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof
                  will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following
                  the prescribed due date; and
         (c)      The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
                  12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

Part III          Narrative

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Form 10-K and Form 10-KSB,
20-F, 11-K, 10-Q and N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof could
not be filed within the prescribed period.

Due to the acquisition of Chiquita Processed Foods, L.L.C. and subsequent sale
of certain capital assets to Lakeside Foods, Inc. in June and August 2003, the
registrant was unable without unreasonable effort and expense to prepare its
accounting records and schedules in sufficient time to allow its accountants to
complete its review of the registrant for its period ended June 28, 2003, before
the required filing date for its Form 10-Q.

Part IV  Other Information

(1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification:

                Jeffrey L. Van Riper        (315) 926-8100

(2)      Have all other periodic reports required under section 13 or 15(d) of
         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or section 30 of the Investment
         Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter
         period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been
         filed? If the answer is no, identify report(s).
                                 [ ] Yes [X] No
Current Report on Form 8-K incorporating the Registrant's earnings press release
for the Year Ended March 31, 2003 which was not timely filed.

(3)      Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations
         from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be
         reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject
         report or portion thereof?
                                 [ ] Yes [X] No
         If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both
narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a
reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made.

                            Seneca Foods Corporation
                            ------------------------
                  (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

has  caused  this  notification  to be signed on its  behalf by the  undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.

Date:  August 13, 2003     /s/ Kraig H. Kayser
                           -------------------
                           Kraig H. Kayser
                           President and Chief Executive Officer