<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>5
<FILENAME>ex23-10k02.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT-2002 10-K
<TEXT>

                                   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 reports dated May 24, 2002, appearing in and incorporated by reference in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Seneca Foods  Corporation  for the year ended
March 31, 2002.

/s/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Rochester, New York
June 25, 2002

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
