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                                                                   Exhibit 23(a)

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts"
included in the Proxy Statement that is made part of the Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-37104) and related Prospectus of The
J.M. Smucker Company for the registration of shares of its common stock and to
the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated June 18, 1999, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of The J. M. Smucker Company
incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
April 30, 1999 and the related financial statement schedule included therein,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Akron, Ohio
June 29, 2000