EXHIBIT 23(a)


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this  Registration  Statement of
Seneca Foods  Corporation and  subsidiaries on Form S-8 of our reports dated May
31, 1996 (which  express an  unqualified  opinion  and  includes an  explanatory
paragraph  relating  to a change  in the  Company's  method  of  accounting  for
inventories  and to a change in  accounting  for income  taxes to  conform  with
Statement  of  Financial   Accounting  Standards  No.  109),  appearing  in  and
incorporated  by  reference  in the Annual  Report on Form 10-K of Seneca  Foods
Corporation and subsidiaries for the year ended March 31, 1996.



Deloitte & Touche LLP
Rochester, New York
September 19, 1996