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, 2002, included in the
2002 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, and Form S-3 No. 333-68416, of our report dated June 6, 2002, 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 26, 2002