EXHIBIT 23(i)





                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(i)

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of Seneca Foods  Corporation  and  subsidiaries on Form S-3 of our reports dated
May 31, 1996 (which express an unqualified  opinion and refer 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 and to the reference to us under the heading  "Experts" in the  Prospectus,
which is part of this Registration Statement.


Deloitte & Touche LLP
Rochester, New York
May 22, 1997

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