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                                                                      Exhibit 23


                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of The J. M. Smucker Company of our report dated June 6, 2001, included in the
2001 Annual Report to Shareholders of The J. M. Smucker Company.

Our audit also included the financial statement schedule of The J. M. Smucker
Company listed in item 14(a). This schedule is the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our
audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 No. 33-21273 and Form S-8 No. 33-38011) pertaining to the 1987 Stock
Option Plan, of our report dated June 6, 2001, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements incorporated herein by reference, and our report included
in the preceding paragraph with respect to the financial statement schedule
included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of The J. M. Smucker Company.



                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Akron, Ohio
July 19, 2001