Basis Of Presentation Policies	9 Months Ended
Dec. 29, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis Of Presentation	1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Seneca Foods Corporation (the “Company”) as of December 29, 2012 and results of its operations and its cash flows for the interim periods presented. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. The March 31, 2012 balance sheet was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements. Certain previously reported amounts for the period ended December 31, 2011 have been reclassified to conform to the current period classification. The results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended December 29, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. In the nine months ended December 29, 2012, the Company sold $151,240,000 of Green Giant finished goods inventory to General Mills Operations, LLC (“GMOL”) for cash, on a bill and hold basis, as compared to $150,981,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 2011. Under the terms of the bill and hold agreement, title to the specified inventory transferred to GMOL. The Company believes it has met the criteria required for bill and hold treatment. The accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 1 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, the following accounting policy has changed this fiscal year based on adopting ASU No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”: Fair Value of Financial Instruments--The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term debt (classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy) and accounts payable approximate cost because of the immediate and short-term maturity of these financial instruments. See note 11 Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for a discussion of the fair value of long-term debt. Acquisition--On January 15, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the membership interest of Independent Foods, LLC. The business, based in Sunnyside, Washington, is a processor of canned pears, apples and cherries in the United States. The rationale for the acquisition was twofold: (1) the business is a complementary fit with the Company's existing business and (2) it provides an extension of the Company's product offerings. The purchase price was approximately $5.3 million plus the assumption of certain liabilities. In conjunction with the closing, the Company paid $19.5 million of liabilities acquired. Since this acquisition was not completed until the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company will be reporting more details in future reports. Other footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K. All references to years are fiscal years ended or ending March 31 unless otherwise indicated. Certain percentage tables may not foot due to rounding.

Basis Of Presentation Policies

9 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Seneca Foods Corporation (the “Company”) as of December 29, 2012 and results of its operations and its cash flows for the interim periods presented. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. The March 31, 2012 balance sheet was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements. Certain previously reported amounts for the period ended December 31, 2011 have been reclassified to conform to the current period classification.

The results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended December 29, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

In the nine months ended December 29, 2012, the Company sold $151,240,000 of Green Giant finished goods inventory to General Mills Operations, LLC (“GMOL”) for cash, on a bill and hold basis, as compared to $150,981,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 2011. Under the terms of the bill and hold agreement, title to the specified inventory transferred to GMOL. The Company believes it has met the criteria required for bill and hold treatment.

The accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 1 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, the following accounting policy has changed this fiscal year based on adopting ASU No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”:

Fair Value of Financial Instruments--The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term debt (classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy) and accounts payable approximate cost because of the immediate and short-term maturity of these financial instruments. See note 11 Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for a discussion of the fair value of long-term debt.

Acquisition--On January 15, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the membership interest of Independent Foods, LLC. The business, based in Sunnyside, Washington, is a processor of canned pears, apples and cherries in the United States. The rationale for the acquisition was twofold: (1) the business is a complementary fit with the Company's existing business and (2) it provides an extension of the Company's product offerings. The purchase price was approximately $5.3 million plus the assumption of certain liabilities. In conjunction with the closing, the Company paid $19.5 million of liabilities acquired. Since this acquisition was not completed until the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company will be reporting more details in future reports.

Other footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

All references to years are fiscal years ended or ending March 31 unless otherwise indicated. Certain percentage tables may not foot due to rounding.