Exhibit 1











INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 1
to Registration  Statement No. 333-12365 of Seneca Foods Corporation on Form S-8
of our report dated  December 1, 1997,  appearing in this Annual  Report on Form
11-K of Seneca  Foods  Corporation  Employees'  Savings  Plan for the year ended
December 31, 1996.





/s/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Rochester, New York
December 10, 1997