EXHIBIT 23(a)


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in this  Post-Effective  Amendment
No. 1 to Registration  Statement No.  333-12365 of Seneca Foods  Corporation and
subsidiaries  on Form S-8 of our reports  dated May 31,  1996 (which  express an
unqualified  opinion and includes an explanatory  paragraph relating 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.



Deloitte & Touche LLP
Rochester, New York
October 29, 1996