<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>ex23a033104.txt
<TEXT>
                                 Exhibit 23 (a)





INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this  Registration  Statement of
Seneca  Foods  Corporation  on  Form  S-8  of our  report  (which  expresses  an
unqualified  opinion  and  includes  an  explanatory  paragraph  relating to the
restatement  described in Note 15) dated May 21, 2003  (September  3, 2003 as to
Note 10 and Note 15),  relating  to the  consolidated  financial  statements  of
Seneca Foods Corporation  incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form
10-K/A of Seneca Foods Corporation for the year ended March 31, 2003, 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 the
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
March 31, 2004

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
