<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>e2301.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT 2001
<TEXT>


                                   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 25, 2001,  appearing in and  incorporated  by
reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Seneca Foods  Corporation for the
year ended March 31, 2001.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Rochester, New York
June 25, 2001

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
