Exhibit 23





INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 1
of Registration  Statement No. 333-12365 of Seneca Foods Corporation on Form S-8
of our report dated May 21, 2003  (September 3, 2003, as to Note 10 and Note 15)
relating to the consolidated  financial  statements of Seneca Foods  Corporation
(which  expresses an unqualified  opinion and includes an explanatory  paragraph
relating to the  restatement  described  in Note 15) and of our report dated May
21,  2003  (September  3,  2003 as to  Note  10 and  Note  15)  relating  to the
consolidated  financial statement  schedule,  appearing in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A of Seneca Foods Corporation for the year ended March 31, 2003.


/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Rochester, New York
September 3, 2003