0000088948-15-000020.txt : 20150609 0000088948-15-000020.hdr.sgml : 20150609 20150609164318 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000088948-15-000020 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 16 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20150331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20150609 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20150609 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Seneca Foods Corp CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000088948 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CANNED, FRUITS, VEG & PRESERVES, JAMS & JELLIES [2033] IRS NUMBER: 160733425 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-01989 FILM NUMBER: 15921369 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3736 SOUTH MAIN STREET CITY: MARION STATE: NY ZIP: 14505 BUSINESS PHONE: 315 926 8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3736 SOUTH MAIN STREET CITY: MARION STATE: NY ZIP: 14505 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SENECA FOODS CORP /NY/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: PIERCE S S COMPANY INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19861210 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SENECA FOODS CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19780425 10-K 1 a10k03312015.htm FY 2015 10-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10‑K


Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015
Commission File Number 0‑01989

SENECA FOODS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


New York
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
3736 South Main Street, Marion, New York
  (Address of principal executive offices)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
16‑0733425
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
14505
(Zip Code)
 
(315) 926-8100


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of Each Class
Name of Each Exchange on
Which Registered
Common Stock Class A, $.25 Par
NASDAQ Global Market
Common Stock Class B, $.25 Par
NASDAQ Global Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes         No     X   

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes          No     X   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes    X     No        

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes   X    No      

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.       

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer          Accelerated filer    X       Non-accelerated filer              Smaller reporting company       

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)

Yes          No     X   

The aggregate market value of the Registrant's voting and non-voting common equity held by non‑affiliates based on the closing sales price per market reports by the NASDAQ Global Market System on October 1, 2014 was approximately $236,271,000.

As of June 5, 2015, there were 7,926,280 shares of Class A common stock and 1,967,958 shares of Class B common stock outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

(1)
Portions of the Annual Report to shareholders for fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 (the "2015 Annual Report") applicable to Part I, Item 1, Part II, Items 5‑9A and Part IV, Item 15 of Form 10‑K.
(2)
Portion of the Proxy Statement to be issued in connection with the Registrant's annual meeting of stockholders (the "Proxy Statement") applicable to Part III, Items 10-14 of Form 10-K.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2015
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION
     
     
     
PART I.
 
Pages
Item 1.
Business
1-4
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
4-9
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
9
Item 2.
Properties
9-10
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
10
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
10
     
PART II.
   
Item 5.
Market for Registrant's Common Stock, Related Security Holder Matters
11
 
  and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
     
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
11
Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
11
 
  Results of Operations
 
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
11
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
11-12
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
12
 
  Financial Disclosure
 
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
12-14
Item 9B.
Other Information
14
     
PART III.
   
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
15
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
15
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
15
 
  Related Stockholder Matters
 
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
15
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
15
     
     
PART IV.
   
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules
16-19
     
SIGNATURES
 
20
 

Forward-Looking Statements
 
Certain of the statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K are forward-looking statements made within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act).  Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements are not in the present or past tense and, in some cases, can be identified by the use of the words "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seeks," "should," "likely," "targets," "may", "can" and other expressions that indicate future trends and events. A forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and reflects management's analysis only as of the date thereof.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. The following factors, among others discussed herein and in the Company's filings under the Exchange Act, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements: costs and availability of raw materials, competition, cost controls, sales levels, governmental regulation, consumer preferences, industry trends, weather conditions, crop yields, natural disasters, recalls, litigation, reliance on third-parties, wage rates, and other factors.  See also the factors described in "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this report, and those described in the Company's filings under the Exchange Act.
 
PART I
Item 1
 
Business
 
History and Development of Seneca Foods Corporation
 
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION (the "Company") is North America's leading provider of packaged fruits and vegetables with facilities located throughout the United States.  The Company's product offerings include canned, frozen and bottled produce and snack chips and its products are sold under private label as well as national and regional brands that the Company owns or licenses, including Seneca®, Libby's®, Green Valley®, Aunt Nellie's®, READ®, and Seneca Farms®.  The Company packs Green Giant, Le Sueur and other brands of canned vegetables as well as select Green Giant frozen vegetables for General Mills Operations, LLC ("GMOL") under our long-term Alliance Agreement that was amended and restated during the second quarter of fiscal year 2010.
 
As of March 31, 2015, the Company's facilities consisted of 22 packaging plants strategically located throughout the United States, three can manufacturing plants, two seed packaging operations, a farming operation and a logistical support network.  The Company also maintains warehouses which are generally located adjacent to its packaging plants.  The Company is a New York corporation and its headquarters is located at 3736 South Main Street, Marion, New York and its telephone number is (315) 926-8100.
 
The Company was founded in 1949 and during its 66 years of operation, the Company has made over 50 strategic acquisitions including the purchase of the long-term license for the Libby's brand in 1983, the purchase of General Mills' Green Giant packaging assets and entry into the Alliance Agreement with GMOL in 1995 and the acquisition of Chiquita Processed Foods in 2003.  The Company believes that these acquisitions have enhanced the Company's leadership position in the private label and foodservice canned vegetable markets in the United States and significantly increased its international sales.  In August 2006, the Company acquired Signature Fruit Company, LLC, a leading producer of canned fruits located in Modesto, California.  This acquisition allowed the Company to broaden its product offerings to become a leading producer and distributor of canned fruit and to achieve cost advantages through the realization of distribution and other synergies with the Company's canned vegetable business.  In 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the membership interest in Independent Foods, LLC.  The business is based in Sunnyside, Washington, is a packer 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.  In April 2014, the Company purchased a 50% equity interest in Truitt Bros. Inc.
 
Available Information
 
The Company's Internet address is www.senecafoods.com.  The Company's annual report on Form 10-K, the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available on the Company's web site, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. All such filings on the Company's web site are available free of charge.  Information on our website is not part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
In addition, the Company's website includes items related to corporate governance matters, including charters of various committees of the Board of Directors and the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.  The Company intends to disclose on its website any amendment to or waiver of any provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that would otherwise be required to be disclosed under the rules of the SEC and NASDAQ.
 
Financial Information about Industry Segments
 
The Company manages its business on the basis of two reportable segments – the primary segment is the packaging and sale of fruits and vegetables and the secondary segment is the packaging and sale of chip products.  These two segments constitute the food operation.  The food operation constitutes 98% of total sales, of which approximately 69% is canned vegetable packaging, 19% is canned fruit packaging, 11% is frozen fruit and vegetable packaging and 1% is fruit chip packaging.  The non-food operation, which is primarily related to the sale of cans and ends and outside revenue generated from our trucking and aircraft operations, represents 2% of the Company's total sales.
 
Narrative Description of Business
 
Principal Products and Markets
 
Food Packaging
 
The principal products include canned fruits and vegetables, frozen vegetables and other food products.  The products are sold nationwide by major grocery outlets, including supermarkets, mass merchandisers, limited assortment stores, club stores and dollar stores.  Additionally, products are sold to food service distributors, industrial markets, other food packagers, export customers in 90 countries and federal, state and local governments for school and other feeding programs.  Food packaging operations are primarily supported by plant locations in New York, California, Wisconsin, Washington, Idaho, Illinois, and Minnesota.  See Note 14 of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information about the Company's segments.
 
The following table summarizes net sales by major product category for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013:
 

1

             
Classes of similar products/services:
 
2015
   
2014
   
2013
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Net Sales:
           
GMOL *
 
$
161,993
   
$
177,881
   
$
165,684
 
Canned vegetables
   
754,556
     
753,318
     
746,892
 
Frozen *
   
94,648
     
107,109
     
84,935
 
Fruit
   
234,918
     
264,549
     
245,596
 
Snack
   
11,667
     
11,496
     
11,357
 
Other
   
28,568
     
25,855
     
21,833
 
    Total
 
$
1,286,350
   
$
1,340,208
   
$
1,276,297
 
                         
* GMOL includes frozen vegetable sales exclusively for GMOL.
                       
 
Source and Availability of Raw Materials
 
The Company's food packaging plants are located in major vegetable producing states and in two fruit producing states.  Fruits and vegetables are primarily obtained through supply contracts with independent growers.
 
Intellectual Property
 
The Company's most significant brand name, Libby's®, is held pursuant to a trademark license granted to the Company in March 1982 and renewable by the Company every 10 years for an aggregate period expiring in March 2081.  The original licensor was Libby, McNeill & Libby, Inc., then an indirect subsidiary of Nestlé, S. A. ("Nestlé") and the license was granted in connection with the Company's purchase of certain of the licensor's canned vegetable operations in the United States.  Corlib Brands Management, LTD acquired the license from Nestlé during 2006.  The license is limited to vegetables which are shelf-stable, frozen, and thermally packaged, and includes the Company's major vegetable varieties – corn, peas and green beans – as well as certain other thermally packaged vegetable varieties and sauerkraut.
 
The Company is required to pay an annual royalty and Corlib Brands now known as Libby's Brand Holding, Ltd., which may terminate the license for non-payment of royalty, use of the trademark in sales outside the licensed territory, failure to achieve a minimum level of sales under the licensed trademark during any calendar year or a material breach or default by the Company under the agreement (which is not cured within the specified cure period).  With the purchase of Signature Fruit Company, LLC, which also uses the Libby's® brand name, the Company re-negotiated the license agreement and created a new, combined agreement based on Libby's® revenue dollars for fruits, vegetables, and dry beans.  A total of $379,000 was paid as a royalty fee for the year ended March 31, 2015.
 
The Company also sells canned fruits and vegetables, frozen vegetables and other food products under several other brands for which the Company has obtained registered trademarks, including, Aunt Nellie's®, Green Valley®, Stokely®, Read®, Seneca Farms®, and Seneca® and other regional brands.
 
Seasonal Business
 
While individual fruits and vegetables have seasonal cycles of peak production and sales, the different cycles are somewhat offsetting.  Minimal food packaging occurs in the Company's last fiscal quarter ending March 31, which is the optimal time for maintenance, repairs and equipment changes in its packaging plants.  The supply of commodities, current pricing, and expected new crop quantity and quality affect the timing and amount of the Company's sales and earnings.  When the seasonal harvesting periods of the Company's major fruits and vegetables are newly completed, inventories for these packaged fruits and vegetables are at their highest levels.  For peas, the peak inventory time is mid-summer and for corn, the Company's highest volume vegetable, the peak inventory is in mid-autumn.  For peaches, the Company's highest volume fruit, the peak inventory time is early-autumn.  For pears, the peak inventory is late-summer.
 
These seasonal fluctuations are illustrated in the following table, which presents certain unaudited quarterly financial information for the periods indicated:
   
First Quarter
   
Second Quarter
   
Third Quarter
   
Fourth Quarter
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Year ended March 31, 2015:
               
Net sales
 
$
240,043
   
$
312,161
   
$
456,207
   
$
277,939
 
Gross margin
   
16,996
     
16,804
     
26,084
     
23,273
 
Net (loss) earnings
   
(107
)
   
(578
)
   
7,819
     
2,765
 
Inventories (at quarter end)
   
467,290
     
731,527
     
547,149
     
472,412
 
Revolver outstanding (at quarter end)
   
180,050
     
302,220
     
255,000
     
233,000
 
                                 
Year ended March 31, 2014:
                               
Net sales
 
$
232,127
   
$
336,628
   
$
477,694
   
$
293,759
 
Gross margin
   
19,680
     
22,379
     
31,178
     
17,726
 
Net earnings (loss)
   
1,347
     
6,603
     
6,846
     
(1,017
)
Inventories (at quarter end)
   
484,694
     
758,654
     
550,723
     
451,250
 
Revolver outstanding (at quarter end)
   
151,026
     
282,000
     
226,000
     
175,000
 

2

Backlog

In the food packaging business, an end of year sales order backlog is not considered meaningful.  Traditionally, larger customers provide tentative bookings for their expected purchases for the upcoming season.  These bookings are further developed as data on the expected size of the related national harvests becomes available.  In general, these bookings serve as a yardstick rather than as a firm commitment, since actual harvest results can vary notably from early estimates.  In actual practice, the Company has substantially all of its expected seasonal production identified to potential sales outlets before the seasonal production is completed.

Competition and Customers

Competition in the food business is substantial with brand recognition and promotion, quality, service, and pricing being the major determinants in the Company's relative market position. The Company believes that it is a major producer of canned fruits and vegetables, but some producers of canned, frozen and other forms of fruit and vegetable products have sales which exceed the Company's sales.  The Company is aware of approximately 14 competitors in the U.S. packaged vegetable industry, many of which are privately held companies.  The Company is aware of approximately nine competitors in the U.S. packaged fruit industry.  In addition, there are significant quantities of fruit that are imported from Europe, Asia and South America.

During the past year, approximately 12% of the Company's packaged foods sales were packed for retail customers under the Company's branded labels of Seneca®, Libby's®, Green Valley®, Aunt Nellie's®, Read®, and Seneca Farms®.  About 24% of packaged foods sales were packed for institutional food distributors and 51% were retail packed under the private label of our customers.  The remaining 13% was sold under the Alliance Agreement with GMOL (see note 12 of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data).  Termination of the Alliance Agreement would substantially reduce the Company's sales and profitability unless the Company was to enter into a new substantial supply relationship with GMOL or another major vegetable marketer.  The non-Alliance customers represent a full cross section of the retail, institutional, distributor, and industrial markets; and the Company does not consider itself dependent on any single sales source other than sales attributable to the Alliance Agreement.

The Company's principal branded products are its Libby's canned fruit and vegetable products, which rate among the top three national brands according to a leading market research firm.

The information under the heading "Results of Operations in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the 2015 Annual Report is incorporated by reference.

Environmental Regulation

Environmental Protection

Environmental protection is an area that has been worked on diligently at each food packaging facility.  In all locations, the Company has cooperated with federal, state, and local environmental protection authorities in developing and maintaining suitable antipollution facilities.  In general, we believe our pollution control facilities are equal to or somewhat superior to those of our competitors and are within environmental protection standards.  The Company does not expect any material capital expenditures to comply with environmental regulations in the near future.

There has been a broad range of proposed and promulgated state, national and international regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change.  In the United States, there is a significant possibility that some form of regulation will be forthcoming at the federal level to address the effects of climate change.  Such regulation could result in the creation of additional costs in the form of taxes, the restriction of output, investments of capital to maintain compliance with laws and regulations, or required acquisition or trading of emission allowances.

Environmental Litigation and Contingencies

In the ordinary course of its business, the Company is made a party to certain legal proceedings seeking monetary damages, including proceedings involving product liability claims, worker's compensation and other employee claims, tort and other general liability claims, for which it carries insurance as well as patent infringement and related litigation.  The Company is in a highly regulated industry and is also periodically involved in government actions for regulatory violations and other matters surrounding the manufacturing of its products, including, but not limited to, environmental, employee, and product safety issues. While it is not feasible to predict or determine the ultimate outcome of these matters, the Company does not believe that an adverse decision in any of these legal proceedings would have a material adverse impact on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Employment

At our fiscal year end 2015, the Company had approximately 3,400 employees of which 3,000 full time and 300 seasonal employees work in food packaging and 100 full time employees work in other activities.  The number of employees increases by approximately 7,000 due to an increase in seasonal employees during our peak pack season.

3

The Company has six collective bargaining agreements with three unions covering approximately 875 of its full-time employees.  The terms of these agreements result in wages and benefits which are substantially the same for comparable positions for the Company's non-union employees.  There is one agreement that will expire in calendar 2016. There is one agreement that will expire in 2018, two agreements that will expire in calendar 2019 and two agreements that will expire in calendar 2020.

Domestic and Export Sales

The following table sets forth domestic and export sales:
 


   
Fiscal Year
 
   
2015
     
2014
     
2013
 
   
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
Net Sales:
               
  United States
 
$
1,170,522
 
 
 
$
1,217,238
 
 
 
$
1,150,831
 
  Export
   
115,828
       
122,970
       
125,466
 
    Total Net Sales
 
$
1,286,350
 
 
 
$
1,340,208
 
 
 
$
1,276,297
 
                             
As a Percentage of Net Sales:
                           
  United States
   
91.0
 %
 
   
90.8
 %
 
   
90.2
%
  Export
   
9.0
 %
 
   
9.2
 %
 
   
9.8
%
    Total
   
100.0
 %
 
   
100.0
 %
 
   
100.0
%

Item 1A

Risk Factors

The following factors as well as factors described elsewhere in this Form 10-K or in other filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could adversely affect the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Other factors not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material could also affect our business operations or financial results.  The Company refers to itself as "we", "our" or "us" in this section.

Fruit and Vegetable Industry Risks

Excess capacity in the fruit and vegetable industry has a downward impact on selling price.

Our financial performance and growth are related to conditions in the United States' fruit and vegetable packaging industry which is a mature industry with a modest growth rate during the last 10 years.  Our net sales are a function of product availability and market pricing.  In the fruit and vegetable packaging industry, product availability and market prices tend to have an inverse relationship:  market prices tend to decrease as more product is available and to increase if less product is available.  Product availability is a direct result of plantings, growing conditions, crop yields and inventory levels, all of which vary from year to year.  Moreover, fruit and vegetable production outside the United States, particularly in Europe, Asia and South America, is increasing at a time when worldwide demand for certain products, such as peaches, is being impacted by the global economic slowdown.  These factors may have a significant effect on supply and competition and create downward pressure on prices.  In addition, market prices can be affected by the planting and inventory levels and individual pricing decisions of our competitors.  Generally, market prices in the fruit and vegetable packaging industry adjust more quickly to variations in product availability than an individual packager can adjust its cost structure; thus, in an oversupply situation, a packager's margins likely will weaken.  We typically have experienced lower margins during times of industry oversupply.

In the past, the fruit and vegetable packaging industry has been characterized by excess capacity, with resulting pressure on our prices and profit margins.  We have closed packaging plants in past years in response to the downward pressure on prices.  There can be no assurance that our margins will improve in response to favorable market conditions or that we will be able to operate profitably during depressed market conditions.

Growing cycles and adverse weather conditions may decrease our results from operations.

Our operations are affected by the growing cycles of the fruits and vegetables we package.  When the fruits and vegetables are ready to be picked, we must harvest and package them quickly or forego the opportunity to package fresh picked fruits and vegetables for an entire year.  Most of our fruits and vegetables are grown by farmers under contract with us.  Consequently, we must pay the contract grower for the fruits and vegetables even if we cannot or do not harvest or package them.  Most of our production occurs during the second quarter (July through September) of our fiscal year, which corresponds with the quarter that the growing season ends for most of the produce packaged by us.  A majority of our sales occur during the third and fourth quarters of each fiscal year due to seasonal consumption patterns for our products.  Accordingly, inventory levels are highest during the second and third quarters, and accounts receivable levels are highest during the third and fourth quarters.  Net sales generated during our third and fourth fiscal quarters have a significant impact on our results of operations.  Because of these seasonal fluctuations, the results of any particular quarter, particularly in the first half of our fiscal year, will not necessarily be indicative of results for the full year or for future years.

4

We set our planting schedules without knowing the effect of the weather on the crops or on the entire industry's production. Weather conditions during the course of each fruit and vegetable crop's growing season will affect the volume and growing time of that crop.  As most of our vegetables are produced in more than one part of the U.S., this somewhat reduces the risk that our entire crop will be subject to disastrous weather.  The upper Midwest is the primary growing region for the principal vegetables which we pack, namely peas, green beans and corn, and it is also a substantial source of our competitors' vegetable production.  California is the primary growing region for the fruits we pack, namely peaches, pears, apricots and grapes.  The adverse effects of weather-related reduced production may be partially mitigated by higher selling prices for the fruits and vegetables which are produced.

The commodity materials that we package or otherwise require are subject to price increases that could adversely affect our profitability.

The materials that we use, such as fruits and vegetables, steel (used to make cans), ingredients, pouches and other packaging materials as well as the electricity and natural gas used in our business, are commodities that may experience price volatility caused by external factors, including market fluctuations, availability, currency fluctuations and changes in governmental regulations and agricultural programs.  General inventory positions of major commodities, such as field corn, soybeans and wheat, all commodities with which we must compete for acreage, can have dramatic effects on prices for those commodities, which can translate into similar swings in prices needed to be paid for our contracted commodities.  These programs and other events can result in reduced supplies of these commodities, higher supply costs or interruptions in our production schedules.  If prices of these commodities increase beyond what we can pass along to our customers, our operating income will decrease.

Risks Associated With Our Operations

The termination or non-renewal of the Alliance Agreement with GMOL could negatively affect our business and operations.

Since 1995, we have had an Alliance Agreement with GMOL, whereby we package canned and frozen vegetables for GMOL, primarily under the Green Giant brand name.  GMOL continues to be responsible for all of the sales, marketing and customer service functions for the Green Giant products.  General Mills, Inc. guarantees various GMOL financial obligations under the Alliance Agreement.

The Alliance Agreement ends December 31, 2019 but may be extended indefinitely unless terminated by either party in accordance with the provisions of the Alliance Agreement.  We are subject to extensive covenants in the Alliance Agreement with respect to quality and delivery of products, maintenance of the Alliance Agreement production plants and other standards of our performance.  If we were to fail in our performance of these covenants, GMOL would be entitled to terminate the Alliance Agreement.  Upon virtually all of the causes of termination enumerated in the Alliance Agreement, GMOL will acquire legal title to two production plants and certain of the other assets which we acquired under the Alliance Agreement and various financial adjustments between the parties will occur.  If GMOL or the Company terminates the Alliance Agreement without cause, the terminating party must pay a substantial termination payment.

Termination of the Alliance Agreement would, in most cases, entitle our principal lenders, including our long-term lenders, to declare a default under our loan agreements with them.  The principal lenders have a security interest in certain payments that we receive from GMOL both during and upon termination of the Alliance Agreement.  Unless we were to enter into a new substantial supply relationship with GMOL or another major vegetable marketer and acquire substantial production capacity to replace the GMOL production plants, any such termination would reduce our sales by approximately 13%.

We depend upon key customers.

Our products are sold in a highly competitive marketplace, which includes increased concentration and a growing presence of large-format retailers and discounters.  Dependence upon key customers could lead to increased pricing pressure by these customers.

Green Giant products packed by us in fiscal years 2015 and 2014 constituted approximately 13% and 13%, respectively, of our total sales.  Our sales of Green Giant product and financial performance under the Alliance Agreement depend to a significant extent on our success in producing quality Green Giant vegetables at competitive costs and GMOL's success in marketing the products produced by us.  The ability of GMOL to successfully market these products will depend upon GMOL's sales efforts as well as the factors described above under "Excess capacity in the fruit and vegetable industry has a downward impact on selling price."  We cannot give assurance as to the volume of GMOL's sales and cannot control many of the key factors affecting that volume.

Additionally, purchases by the United Sates Department of Agriculture ("USDA") in fiscal year 2015 represented approximately 4% of our total sales.  The purchase of our products by the USDA is done through the government's competitive bid process.  We bid on stated product requirements and needs as presented by the USDA and, if we are the successful bidder, we fulfill the contract and deliver the product.  The government contracting process is complex and subject to numerous regulations and requirements.  Failure by us to comply with the regulations and requirements for government contracts could jeopardize our ability to contract with the government and could result in reduced sales or prohibition on submitting bids to the USDA.  The government procurement process could also change and result in our inability to meet the new requirements.  Additionally, the government's need for our products could decrease, which would result in reduced sales to the USDA.

If we lose a significant customer or if sales to a significant customer materially decrease, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

If we do not maintain the market shares of our products, our business and revenues may be adversely affected.

All of our products compete with those of other national and regional food packaging companies under highly competitive conditions.  The vegetable products which we sell under our own brand names not only compete with vegetable products produced by vegetable packaging competitors, but also compete with products we produce and sell to other companies who market those products under their own brand names, such as the Green Giant vegetables we sell to GMOL under the Alliance Agreement and the fruits and vegetables we sell to various retail grocery chains which carry our customer's own brand names.

5

The customers who buy our products to sell under their own brand names control the marketing programs for those products.  In recent years, many major retail food chains have been increasing their promotions, offerings and shelf space allocations for their own fruit and vegetable brands, to the detriment of fruit and vegetable brands owned by the packagers, including our own brands.  We cannot predict the pricing or promotional activities of our customers/competitors or whether they will have a negative effect on us.  There are competitive pressures and other factors, which could cause our products to lose market share or result in significant price erosion that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Increases in logistics and other transportation-related costs could materially adversely impact our results of operations.

Our ability to competitively serve our customers depends on the availability of reliable and low-cost transportation.  We use multiple forms of transportation to bring our products to market.  They include trucks, intermodal, rail cars, and ships.  Disruption to the timely supply of these services or increases in the cost of these services for any reason, including availability or cost of fuel, regulations affecting the industry, or labor shortages in the transportation industry, could have an adverse effect on our ability to serve our customers, and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we are subject to product liability claims, we may incur significant and unexpected costs and our business reputation could be adversely affected.

Food packagers are subject to significant liability should the consumption of their products cause injury or illness.  We work with regulators, the industry and suppliers to stay abreast of developments.  A product liability judgment against us could also result in substantial and unexpected expenditures, affect consumer confidence in our products, and divert management's attention from other responsibilities.  Product liability claims may also lead to increased scrutiny by federal and state regulatory agencies and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation.   Although we maintain comprehensive general liability insurance coverage, there can be no assurance that this level of coverage is adequate or that we will be able to continue to maintain our existing insurance or obtain comparable insurance at a reasonable cost, if at all.  A product recall or a partially or completely uninsured judgment against us could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We generate agricultural food packaging wastes and are subject to substantial environmental regulation.

As a food packager, we regularly dispose of produce wastes (silage) and processing water as well as materials used in plant operation and maintenance, and our plant boilers, which generate heat used in packaging, produce generally small emissions into the air.  These activities and operations are regulated by federal and state laws and the respective federal and state environmental agencies.  Occasionally, we may be required to remediate conditions found by the regulators to be in violation of environmental law or to contribute to the cost of remediating waste disposal sites, which we neither owned nor operated, but in which, we and other companies deposited waste materials, usually through independent waste disposal companies.  Future possible costs of environmental remediation, contributions and penalties could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our production capacity for certain products and commodities is concentrated in a limited number of facilities, exposing us to a material disruption in production in the event that a disaster strikes.

We only have two plants that produce fruit products and one plant that produces pumpkin products.  We have three plants that manufacture empty cans, one with substantially more capacity than the other two, which are not interchangeable since each plant cannot necessarily produce all the can sizes needed.  Although we maintain property and business interruption insurance coverage, there can be no assurance that this level of coverage is adequate in the event of a catastrophe or significant disruption at these or other Company facilities.  If such an event occurs, it could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may undertake acquisitions or product innovations and may have difficulties integrating them or may not realize the anticipated benefits.

In the future, we may undertake acquisitions of other businesses or introduce new products, although there can be no assurances that these will occur.  Such undertakings involve numerous risks and significant investments.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify and acquire acquisition candidates on favorable terms, to profitably manage or to successfully integrate future businesses it may acquire or new products it may introduce without substantial costs, delays or problems.  Any of these outcomes could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are dependent upon a seasonal workforce and our inability to hire sufficient employees may adversely affect our business.

At the end of our 2015 fiscal year, we had approximately 3,400 employees of which 2,900 full time and 400 seasonal employees worked in food packaging and 100 employees worked in other activities.  During the peak summer harvest period, we hire up to approximately 7,000 seasonal employees to help package fruits and vegetables.  If there is an increase to minimum wage rates, this could have a negative impact cost of operations.  Many of our packaging operations are located in rural communities that may not have sufficient labor pools, requiring us to hire employees from other regions.  An inability to hire and train sufficient employees during the critical harvest period could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

There may be increased governmental legislative and regulatory activity in reaction to consumer perception related to BPA.

There has been increased state legislative activity to ban Bisphenol-A ("BPA") from food contact packaging. These legislative decisions are predominantly driven by consumer perception that BPA may be harmful. These actions have been taken despite the scientific evidence and general consensus of United States and international government agencies that BPA is safe and does not pose a risk to human health. The legislative actions combined with growing public perception about food safety may require us to change some of the materials used as linings in our packaging materials. Failure to do so could result in a loss of sales as well as loss in value of the inventory utilizing BPA containing materials. The Company, in collaboration with other can makers as well as enamel suppliers, has decided to aggressively work to find alternative materials for can linings not manufactured using BPA. However, commercially acceptable alternatives are not immediately available for some applications and there can be no assurance that these steps will be successful. About 21% of our canned product volume (excluding GMOL and purchased canned products) still includes BPA.

6

The implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 may affect operations
 
The Food Safety Modernization Act ("FSMA") was enacted with the goal of enabling the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") to better protect public health by strengthening the food safety system. FSMA was designed to focus the efforts of FDA on preventing food safety problems rather than relying primarily on reacting to problems after they occur. The law also provides FDA with new enforcement authorities designed to achieve higher rates of compliance with prevention and risk-based food safety standards and to better respond to and contain problems when they do occur.  The increased inspections, mandatory recall authority of the FDA, increased scrutiny of foreign sourced or supplied food products, and increased records access may have an impact on our business. As we are already in a highly regulated business, operating under the increased scrutiny of more FDA authority does not appear likely to negatively impact our business.  The law also gives FDA important new tools to hold imported foods to the same standards as domestic foods.

The Company's results are dependent on successful marketplace initiatives and acceptance by consumers of the Company's products.

The Company's product introductions and product improvements, along with its other marketplace initiatives, are designed to capitalize on new customer or consumer trends.  The FDA recently issued a statement on sodium which referred to an Institute of Medicine statement that too much sodium is a major contributor to high blood pressure. Some of our products contain a moderate amount of sodium per recommended serving, which is based on consumer's preferences for taste.  In order to remain successful, the Company must anticipate and react to these new trends and develop new products or packages to address them. While the Company devotes significant resources to meeting this goal, we may not be successful in developing new products or packages, or our new products or packages may not be accepted by customers or consumers.

New regulations related to "conflict minerals" may cause us to incur additional expenses and could limit the supply and increase the cost of certain metals used primarily in manufacturing our canned products.

On August 22, 2012, the SEC adopted a new rule requiring disclosures of specified minerals, known as conflict minerals, that are necessary to the functionality or production of products manufactured or contracted to be manufactured by companies filing public reports. The new rule, which is effective for the 2013 calendar year and requires a disclosure report to be filed by May 31 each year, will require companies to perform country of origin inquiries, due diligence as required, disclosure, and reporting whether such minerals originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo or an adjoining country.  The new rule could affect sourcing at competitive prices and availability in sufficient quantities of certain minerals, including tantalum, tin, gold, and tungsten, used primarily in the manufacture of our cans. The number of suppliers, who provide conflict-free minerals in steel production, or other components, may be limited. In addition, there may be significant costs associated with complying with the disclosure requirements, such as costs related to determining the source of certain minerals used in the manufacture of our cans, as well as costs of possible changes to products, packages, or sources of supply as a consequence of such verification activities. Since our supply chain is complex, we may not be able to sufficiently verify the origins of the relevant minerals used in our products through the procedures that we implement, which may hurt our business. In addition, we may encounter significant challenges to satisfy those customers who require that all of the components of our products be certified as conflict-free, which could place us, as well as our competitors, at a disadvantage if we are unable to do so.


Financing Risks

Global economic conditions may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Unfavorable economic conditions, including the impact of recessions in the United States and throughout the world, may negatively affect our business and financial results.  These economic conditions could negatively impact (i) consumer demand for our products, (ii) the mix of our products' sales, (iii) our ability to collect accounts receivable on a timely basis, (iv) the ability of suppliers to provide the materials required in our operations and (v) our ability to obtain financing or to otherwise access the capital markets.  The strength of the U.S. dollar versus other world currencies could result in increased competition from imported products and decreased sales to our international customers.  A prolonged recession could result in decreased revenue, margins and earnings.  Additionally, the economic situation could have an impact on our lenders or customers, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to us.  The occurrence of any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.


Our ability to manage our working capital and our Revolver is critical to our success.

As of March 31, 2015, we had approximately $284.1 million of total indebtedness, including various debt agreements and a $233.0 million outstanding balance on our $300.0 million to $400.0 million revolving credit facility ("Revolver").  Scheduled debt service for fiscal 2016 is $2.5 million.  The Company will evaluate its alternatives related to these payments.  During our second and third fiscal quarters, our operations generally require more cash than is available from operations.  In these circumstances, it is necessary to borrow under our Revolver.  We renewed our Revolver during fiscal 2012 for five years so it now matures on July 20, 2016.  Our ability to obtain financing in the future through credit facilities will be affected by several factors, including our creditworthiness, our ability to operate in a profitable manner and general market and credit conditions.  Significant changes in our business or cash outflows from operations could create a need for additional working capital.  An inability to obtain additional working capital on terms reasonably acceptable to us or access the Revolver would materially and adversely affect our operations. Additionally, if we need to use a portion of our cash flows to pay principal and interest on our debt, it will reduce the amount of money we have for operations, working capital, capital expenditures, expansions, acquisitions or general corporate or other business activities. 

Failure to comply with the requirements of our debt agreements and Revolver could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our debt agreements and Revolver contain financial and other restrictive covenants which, among other things, limit our ability to borrow money, including with respect to the refinancing of existing indebtedness. These provisions may limit our ability to conduct our business, take advantage of business opportunities and respond to changing business, market and economic conditions. In addition, they may place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other companies that may be subject to fewer, if any, restrictions. Failure to comply with the requirements of our Revolver and debt agreements could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We have pledged our accounts receivable, inventory and the capital stock or other ownership interests that we own in our subsidiaries to secure the credit facility. If a default occurred and was not cured, secured lenders could foreclose on this collateral.

7

Risks Relating to Our Stock

Our existing shareholders, if acting together, may be able to exert control over matters requiring shareholder approval.

Holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to one vote per share, while holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one-twentieth of a vote per share. In addition, holders of our 10% Cumulative Convertible Voting Preferred Stock, Series A, our 10% Cumulative Convertible Voting Preferred Stock, Series B and, solely with respect to the election of directors, our 6% Cumulative Voting Preferred Stock, which we refer to  as our voting preferred stock, are entitled to one vote per share. As of March 31, 2015, holders of Class B common stock and voting preferred stock held 88.5% of the combined voting power of all shares of capital stock then outstanding and entitled to vote. These shareholders, if acting together, would be in a position to control the election of our directors and to effect or prevent certain corporate transactions that require majority or supermajority approval of the combined classes, including mergers and other business combinations. This may result in us taking corporate actions that you may not consider to be in your best interest and may affect the price of our common stock.

As of March 31, 2015, our current executive officers and directors beneficially owned 12.8% of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock, 47.2% of our outstanding shares of Class B common stock and 63.3% of our voting preferred stock, or 48.0% of the combined voting power of our outstanding shares of capital stock. This concentration of voting power may inhibit changes in control of the Company and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that discourage corporate takeovers.

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and provisions of the New York Business Corporation Law may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control. Various provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may inhibit changes in control not approved by our directors and may have the effect of depriving shareholders of any opportunity to receive a premium over the prevailing market price of our common stock in the event of an attempted unsolicited takeover. In addition, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. These provisions include:
 
 
 
 
·a classified board of directors;
  
 
 
·a requirement that special meetings of shareholders be called only by our directors or holders of 25% of the voting power of all shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting;
  
 
 
·our board of directors has the power to classify and reclassify any of our unissued shares of capital stock into shares of capital stock with such preferences, rights, powers and restrictions as the board of directors may determine;
  
 
 
·the affirmative vote of two thirds of the shares present and entitled to vote is required to amend our bylaws or remove a director; and
  
 
 
·under the New York Business Corporation Law, in addition to certain restrictions which may apply to "business combinations" involving us and an "interested shareholder", a plan for our merger or consolidation must be approved by two-thirds of the votes of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. See "Our existing shareholders, if acting together, may be able to exert control over matters requiring shareholder approval."

We do not pay dividends on our common stock and do not expect to pay common dividends in the future.

We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock in more than 25 years and we have no intention to do so in the near future. In addition, payment of cash dividends on our common stock is not permitted by the terms of our revolving credit facility.

Other Risks

Tax legislation could impact future cash flows.

The Company uses the Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) method of inventory accounting.  As of March 31, 2015, we had a LIFO reserve of $164.1 million which, at the U.S. corporate tax rate, represents approximately $57.4 million of income taxes, payment of which is delayed to future dates based upon changes in inventory costs.  From time-to-time, discussions regarding changes in U.S. tax laws have included the potential of LIFO being repealed.  Should LIFO be repealed, the $57.4 million of postponed taxes, plus any future benefit realized prior to the date of repeal, would likely have to be repaid over some period of time.  Repayment of these postponed taxes will reduce the amount of cash that we would have available to fund our operations, working capital, capital expenditures, expansions, acquisitions or general corporate or other business activities. This could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The tax status of our insurance subsidiary could be challenged resulting in an acceleration of income tax payments.

In conjunction with our workers' compensation program, we operate a wholly owned insurance subsidiary, Dundee Insurance Company, Inc. We recognize this subsidiary as an insurance company for federal income tax purposes with respect to our consolidated federal income tax return. In the event the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") were to determine that this subsidiary does not qualify as an insurance company, we could be required to make accelerated income tax payments to the IRS that we otherwise would have deferred until future periods.

8

 
Item 1B
 
Unresolved Staff Comments
 
The Company does not have any unresolved comments from the SEC staff regarding its periodic or current reports under the Exchange Act.
 
Item 2
 
Properties
 
The following table details the Company's manufacturing plants and warehouses:
 

Manufacturing Plants and Warehouses
     
         
     
Square
 
     
Footage
Acres
     
('000)
 
Food Group
       
Modesto, California
   
2,213
114
Buhl, Idaho
   
616
144
Payette, Idaho
   
382
43
Princeville, Illinois
   
271
308
Arlington, Minnesota
   
264
536
Blue Earth, Minnesota
   
286
346
Bricelyn, Minnesota
   
57
7
Glencoe, Minnesota
   
646
786
LeSueur, Minnesota
   
23
2
Montgomery, Minnesota
   
559
1,010
Rochester, Minnesota
   
1,078
840
Geneva, New York
   
769
602
Leicester, New York
   
198
91
Marion, New York
   
348
181
Lebanon, Pennsylvania
   
138
16
Dayton, Washington
   
253
41
Sunnyside, Washington
   
570
50
Yakima, Washington
   
122
8
Baraboo, Wisconsin
   
584
11
Cambria, Wisconsin
   
412
406
Clyman, Wisconsin
   
435
724
Cumberland, Wisconsin
   
375
304
Gillett, Wisconsin
   
320
105
Janesville, Wisconsin
   
1,201
302
Mayville, Wisconsin
   
297
367
Oakfield, Wisconsin
   
227
2,228
Ripon, Wisconsin
   
589
75
         
Non-Food Group
       
Penn Yan, New York
   
27
4
         
  Total
   
13,260
9,651
 
These facilities primarily package various fruit and vegetable products.  Most of the facilities are owned by the Company.  The Company is a lessee under a number of operating leases for equipment and real property used for packaging and warehousing.
 
9

 
 
The Company believes that these facilities are suitable and adequate for the purposes for which they are currently intended.  All locations, although highly utilized, have the ability to expand as sales requirements justify.  Because of the seasonal production cycles, the exact extent of utilization is difficult to measure.  In certain circumstances, the theoretical full efficiency levels are being reached; however, expansion of the number of production days or hours could increase the output by up to 20% for a season.
 
Certain of the Company's facilities are mortgaged to financial institutions to secure long-term debt.  See Notes 3, 4 and 5 of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information about the Company's long-term debt and lease commitments.
 
Item 3
 
Legal Proceedings
 
See Note 14, "Legal Proceedings and Other Contingencies" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.
 
See also  Item 1, Business -- Environmental Regulation, for information regarding environmental legal proceedings.
 
Item 4
 
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Not Applicable.
10

PART II
 
Item 5
 
 
Market for Registrant's Common Stock, Related Security Holder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Each class of preferred stock receives preference as to dividend payment and declaration over any common stock. In addition, refer to the information in the 2015 Annual Report, "Shareholder Information and Quarterly Results", which is incorporated by reference.
 
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
 
On August 10, 2007, the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2007 Equity Plan") was approved by shareholders at the Company's annual meeting.  The 2007 Equity Plan has a 10-year term and authorized the issuance of up to 100,000 shares of either Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock or a combination of the two classes of stock.  A total of 3,366 were awarded in fiscal year 2015 under the terms of the 2007 Equity Plan.  As of March 31, 2015, there were 68,593 shares available for distribution as part of future awards under the 2007 Equity Plan.  No additional shares have been awarded under the 2007 Equity Plan through the date of this Form 10-K. 
 
Common Stock Performance Graph
 
Refer to the information in the 2015 Annual Report, "Shareholder Information and Quarterly Results", which is incorporated by reference.
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

                       
Maximum Number (or
 
                       
Approximate Dollar
 
   
Total Number of Shares
   
Average Price Paid per
   
Total Number of Shares
   
Value) of Shares that
 
   
Purchased (1)
   
Share
   
Purchased as Part of
   
May Yet Be Purchased
 
   
Class A
   
Class B
   
Class A
   
Class B
   
Publicly Announced
   
Under the Plans or
 
Period
 
Common
   
Common
   
Common
   
Common
   
Plans or Programs
   
Programs
 
1/01/15 - 1/31/15
   
-
     
45,380
   
$
-
   
$
32.46
     
-
     
2/01/15 - 2/28/15
   
-
     
2,301
   
$
-
   
$
32.23
     
-
     
3/01/15 - 3/31/15
   
874,400
     
34
   
$
26.03
   
$
33.97
     
817,400
     
Total
   
874,400
     
47,715
   
$
26.03
   
$
32.45
     
817,400
     
1,267,414
 
                                                 
(1) All purchases were made in open market transactions by the Trustees of the Seneca Foods Corporation Employees' Savings Plan,
 
Trustees of Dundee Insurance, Inc and the Seneca Foods, L.L.C. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to provide employee matching
 
  contributions under the Plans.
                                               
 
Item 6
 
Selected Financial Data
 
Refer to the information in the 2015 Annual Report, "Five Year Selected Financial Data", which is incorporated by reference.
 
Item 7
 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Refer to the information in the 2015 Annual Report, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", which is incorporated by reference.
 
Item 7A
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Refer to the information in the 2015 Annual Report, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk", which is incorporated by reference.
 
 
Item 8
 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
Refer to the information in the 2015 Annual Report, "Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto including Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm," which is incorporated by reference.
 
11

 
Item 9
 
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None.
 
Item 9A
 
Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of March 31, 2015. Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2015, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures: (1) were designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company is made known to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared, so as to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and (2) were effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.
 
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over the Company's financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Our management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessment, management believes that, as of March 31, 2015, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
 
The Company's independent registered public accountant has issued its report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.  The report appears on the next page.
12

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Seneca Foods Corporation
Marion, New York
 
We have audited Seneca Foods Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Item 9A, Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015, based on the COSO criteria.
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Standards Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Seneca Foods Corporation as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of net earnings, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2015 and our report dated June 9, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
 
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 
June 9, 2015
13

 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
Item 9B
 
Other Information
 
None.
14

PART III
 
Item 10
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The information regarding directors is incorporated herein by reference from the section entitled "Proposal One: Election of Directors" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement ("Proxy Statement") to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 31, 2015.  The Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.
 
The information regarding executive officers is incorporated herein by reference from the section entitled "Executive Officers" in the Proxy Statement.
 
The information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is incorporated herein by reference from the section entitled "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" in the Proxy Statement.
 
Information regarding the Company's code of business conduct and ethics found in the subsection captioned "Available Information" in Item 1 of Part I hereof is also incorporated herein by reference into this Item 10.
 
The information regarding the Company's audit committee, its members and the audit committee financial experts is incorporated herein by reference from the subsection entitled "Audit Committee" in the section entitled "Board Governance" in the Proxy Statement.
 
Item 11
Executive Compensation
The information included under the following captions in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference: "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," "Summary Compensation Table," "Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2015," "Outstanding Equity Awards at 2015 Fiscal Year-End," "Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 2015," "Pension Benefits," "Compensation of Directors" and "Compensation Committee Interlocks."  The information included under the heading "Compensation Committee Report" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference; however, this information shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
 
 
Item 12
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference from the sections entitled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" and "Security Ownership of Management and Directors" in the Proxy Statement.
 
Item 13
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
The information regarding transactions with related parties and director independence is incorporated herein by reference from the sections entitled "Independent Directors" and "Certain Transactions and Relationships" in the Proxy Statement.
 
Item 14
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information regarding principal accountant fees and services is incorporated herein by reference from the section entitled "Principal Accountant Fees and Services" in the Proxy Statement.
15

PART IV
 
Item 15
 
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule
 
 
A.Exhibits, Financial Statements, and Supplemental Schedule
 
1.Financial Statements ‑ the following consolidated financial statements of the Registrant, included in the 2015 Annual Report, are incorporated by reference in Item 8:
 
Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings – Years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets ‑ March 31, 2015 and 2014
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity – Years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Pages
 
2.Supplemental Schedule:
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Schedule                                        18
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                                                                               19
 
Other schedules have not been filed because the conditions requiring the filing do not exist or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto.
 
3.Exhibits:
 
Exhibit Number  Description
 
3.1       The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 11, 2010).
3.2       The Company's Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A filed August 18, 1995 for the quarter ended July 1, 1995)
3.3       Amendment to the Company's Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 6, 2007)
10.1**Second Amended and Restated Alliance Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 5, 2009)
10.2**First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Alliance Agreement by and among Seneca Foods Corporation and General Mills Operations, LLC dated June 11, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 3, 2010)
10.3     Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of July 20, 2011 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 26, 2011).
10.4     First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of August 1, 2011 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013).
10.5     Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 20, 2012 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013).
 
16

 
10.6     Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 5, 2013 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013).
10.7     Fourth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 16, 2013 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014).
10.8     Fifth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of April 1, 2014 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014).
10.9     Sixth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of June 17, 2014 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC for the quarter ended June 28, 2014).
10.10   Seventh Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 6, 2014 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (filed herewith).
10.11   Indemnification Agreement between the Company and the directors of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002)
10.12* Seneca Foods Corporation Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-166846))
10.13* Seneca Foods Corporation Manager Profit Sharing Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-166846))
13        The material contained in the 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders under the following headings: "Five Year Selected Financial Data", "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto including Independent Auditors' Report, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk", and "Shareholder Information and Quarterly Results" (filed herewith)
21       List of Subsidiaries (filed herewith)
23       Consent of BDO USA, LLP (filed herewith)
24       Powers of Attorney (filed herewith)
31.1    Certification of Kraig H. Kayser pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
31.2    Certification of Timothy J. Benjamin as Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
32       Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
101     The following materials from Seneca Foods Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language):  (i)consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of net earnings, (iii) consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iv) consolidated statements of cash flows, (v) consolidated statement of stockholders' equity and (vi) the notes to the consolidated financial statements
 
*  Indicates management or compensatory agreement
**Certain provisions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Confidential treatment has been requested with respect of such omitted portions
17

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 
 
 
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Seneca Foods Corporation
Marion, New York
 
 
The audits referred to in our report dated June 9, 2015 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Seneca Foods Corporation, which is incorporated in Item 8 of Form 10-K by reference to the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended March 31, 2015, also included the audit of the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index.  This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits.
In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
 
 
 
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 
June 9, 2015
18

Schedule II
 
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
(In thousands)
 
                 
 
Balance at
 
Charged/
 
Charged to
   
Deductions
   
Balance
 
beginning
 
(credited)
 
other
   
from
   
at end
 
of period
 
to income
 
accounts
   
reserve
   
of period
 
               
Year-ended March 31, 2015:
               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
160
   
$
45
   
$
¾
       
$
(60
)
 (a)
 
$
145
 
Income tax valuation allowance
 
$
390
   
$
1,397
   
$
¾
       
$
¾
     
$
1,787
 
                                                 
Year-ended March 31, 2014:
                                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
201
   
$
23
     $              
$
(64
)
 (a)
 
$
160
 
Income tax valuation allowance
 
$
758
   
$
(368
)
 
$
¾
             
$
¾
     
$
390
 
                                                     
Year-ended March 31, 2013:
                                                   
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
206
   
$
(55
)
 
$
44
 
(b)
         
$
6
 
 (a)
 
$
201
 
Income tax valuation allowance
 
$
906
   
$
(148
)
 
$
¾
             
$
¾
     
$
758
 
                                                     
(a) Accounts written off, net of recoveries.
                                             
(b) Acquired via the Sunnyside acquisition.
                                             
19

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SENECA FOODS CORPORATION
 
/s/Timothy J. Benjamin
Timothy J. Benjamin
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
June 9, 2015

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

Signature
 
Title
 
Date
         
/s/Arthur S. Wolcott
Arthur S. Wolcott
 
Chairman and Director
 
June 9, 2015
         
         
/s/Kraig H. Kayser
Kraig H. Kayser
 
President, Chief Executive Officer, Director
 
June 9, 2015
         
/s/Timothy J. Benjamin
Timothy J. Benjamin
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
June 9, 2015
         
/s/Jeffrey L. Van Riper
Jeffrey L. Van Riper
 
Vice President, Controller,  and Secretary (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
June 9, 2015
         
*
 
Director
 
June 9, 2015
Arthur H. Baer
       
         
*
 
Director
 
June 9, 2015
Peter R. Call
       
 
 *
Director
June 9, 2015
 
John P. Gaylord 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Director
 
June 9, 2015
 
Susan A. Henry
       
         
 *
 
Director
 
June 9, 2015
Samuel T. Hubbard, Jr.
       
         
*
 
Director
 
June 9, 2015
Thomas Paulson
       
         
*
 
Director
 
June 9, 2015
Susan W. Stuart
 
/s/Kraig H. Kayser
*By Kraig H. Kayser,
Attorney-in-fact
       
20
EX-10.10 2 ex1010seventhamendmentbofa.htm SEVENTH AMENDMENT OF B OF A AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.10
SEVENTH AMENDMENT AGREEMENT
SEVENTH AMENDMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of November 6, 2014 by and among (1) Seneca Foods Corporation, a New York corporation (the "Parent"), Seneca Snack Company, a Washington corporation ("Seneca Snack"), Seneca Foods, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Seneca LLC"), Green Valley Foods, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "New Borrower" and together with the Parent, Seneca Snack and Seneca LLC, collectively, the "Borrowers"), (2) Marion Foods, Inc., a New York corporation, Lebanon Valley Cold Storage, LLC, and Lebanon Valley Cold Storage, LP (collectively, the "Guarantors" and together with the Borrowers, collectively, the "Obligors"), (3) the financial institutions party to the Loan and Security Agreement (as defined below) as lenders (collectively, the "Lenders" and individually, a "Lender"), and (4) Bank of America, N.A. ("Bank of America") as agent (the "Agent") for the Lenders and as Issuing Bank with respect to a certain Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of July 20, 2011, by and among the Borrowers (other than the New Borrower), the Guarantors, the Lenders, the Agent, the Issuing Bank and RBS Citizens, N.A. as Syndication Agent, as amended by that certain First Amendment Agreement dated as of August 1, 2011, by that certain Second Amendment Agreement dated as of December 20, 2012, by that Third Amendment Agreement dated as of March 5, 2013, by that certain Fourth Amendment Agreement dated as of December 16, 2013, by that certain Fifth Amendment Agreement dated as of April 1, 2014 and that certain Sixth Amendment Agreement dated as of June 17, 2014 (as further amended, the "Loan and Security Agreement").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrowers (other than the New Borrower) have requested that the Lenders agree (a) to join the New Borrower as a borrower under the Loan and Security Agreement and (b) with the Borrowers to amend certain other provisions of the Loan and Security Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to such amendments, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
§1.            Definitions.  Capitalized terms used herein without definition that are defined in the Loan and Security Agreement shall have the same meanings herein as therein.
§2.            Ratification of Existing Agreements.  All of the Obligors' obligations and liabilities to the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders as evidenced by or otherwise arising under the Loan and Security Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents, are, by each Obligor's execution of this Agreement, ratified and confirmed in all respects.  In addition, by each Obligor's execution of this Agreement, each of the Obligors represents and warrants that no Obligor has any counterclaim, right of set-off or defense of any kind with respect to such obligations and liabilities.
§3.            Representations and Warranties.  Each of the Obligors hereby represents and warrants to the Agent, the Issuing Bank and Lenders that all of the representations and warranties made by the Obligors in the Loan and Security Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents are true in all material respects on the date hereof as if made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate expressly to an earlier date.
§4.            Conditions Precedent.  The effectiveness of the amendments contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction on or before the date hereof of each of the following conditions precedent:
(a)
Representations and Warranties.  All of the representations and warranties made by the Obligors herein, whether directly or incorporated by reference, shall be true and correct on the date hereof except as provided in §3 hereof.
(b)
Performance; No Event of Default.  The Obligors shall have performed and complied in all respects with all terms and conditions herein required to be performed or complied with by them prior to or at the time hereof, and there shall exist no Default or Event of Default.
(c)
Fees and Expenses.  The Borrowers shall have paid to the Agent the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Agent in connection with the preparation of this Agreement.
(d)
Delivery.
(i)
The Obligors, the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Required Lenders shall have executed and delivered this Agreement.
(ii)The Borrowers shall have executed and delivered Notes to each Lender that requires issuance of a Note.
(iii)The Parent and the Agent shall have executed and delivered a letter agreement amending the Second Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement.
(iv)The Agent shall have received a certificate of a duly authorized officer of the New Borrower, certifying (i) that attached copies of the New Borrower's Organic Documents are true and complete, and in full force and effect, without amendment except as shown; (ii) that an attached copy of resolutions authorizing execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other applicable Loan Documents is true and complete, and that such resolutions are in full force and effect, were duly adopted, have not been amended, modified or revoked, and constitute all resolutions adopted with respect to this credit facility; and (iii) to the title, name and signature of each Person authorized to sign this Agreement and the other applicable Loan Documents.
(v)The Agent shall have received copies of the Organic Documents of the New Borrower, certified by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of the New Borrower's jurisdiction of organization.  The Agent shall have received good standing certificates for the New Borrower, issued by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of the New Borrower's jurisdiction of organization and each jurisdiction where the New Borrower's conduct of business or ownership of Property necessitates qualification.
(vi)The Agent shall have received a written opinion addressed to Agent and Lenders of Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP, counsel to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
(e)
Insurance Certificates.  The Agent shall have received copies of policies or certificates of insurance for the insurance policies carried by Borrowers, all in compliance with the Loan Documents.
(f)
Perfection of Liens.  The Agent shall have received acknowledgments of all filings or recordations necessary to perfect its Liens in the Collateral granted to it by the New Borrower, as well as other evidence satisfactory to the Agent that such Liens are the only Liens upon such Collateral, except Permitted Liens.
(g)
Other Documents.  The Obligors shall have executed and delivered such further instruments and taken such further action as the Agent and the Required Lenders may have reasonably requested, in each case further to effect the purposes of this Agreement, the Loan and Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
§5.            Joinder by New Borrower.
(a)
The New Borrower hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the New Borrower will be deemed to be a Borrower under Loan and Security Agreement and an Obligor for all purposes of the Loan and Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the grant pursuant to Section 7 of the Loan and Security Agreement of a security interest to the Agent in the property and property rights of the New Borrower constituting Collateral, and shall have all of the obligations of a Borrower and an Obligor thereunder as if it had executed the Loan and Security Agreement.  The New Borrower hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Loan and Security Agreement, including without limitation all of the covenants set forth in Sections 7, 8 and 10, as applicable to Obligors, of the Loan and Security Agreement.  The New Borrower acknowledges and confirms that all of the representations and warranties of the Borrowers set forth in Section 9 of the Loan and Security Agreement, as updated with the supplemental schedules provided to the Agent by the Borrowers in accordance with the terms of the Loan and Security Agreement, are true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof with respect to the New Subsidiary.
(b)
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of Section 5(a) above, the New Borrower, (i) adopts the Loan and Security Agreement, assumes in full (and the New Borrower hereby acknowledges that it shall be jointly and severally liable for the payment, discharge, satisfaction and performance of) all Obligations, including without limitation those arising under the Loan and Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Notes), as if it were an original signatory to and Borrower under the Loan and Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (ii) in order to secure the prompt payment and performance of all Obligations, hereby grants to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a continuing security interest in and Lien upon the Collateral of the New Borrower, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and wherever located, and the Agent is authorized to file such UCC-1 financing statements, and to file such other documents and take such other action, as Agent may deem to be necessary or appropriate in order to perfect or protect the Liens granted to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and the priority of the Agent with respect thereto.
§6.            Amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement.
 
(a)
Amendment to Section 1.1 of the Loan and Security Agreement.  The defined term "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" in Section 1.1 of the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
"Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: the ratio, determined on a consolidated basis for Borrowers and Subsidiaries for the most recent four Fiscal Quarters, of (a) EBITDA (determined on a first-in, first-out method of accounting inventory) minus Capital Expenditures made (except those (x) financed with Borrowed Money other than Loans or (y) made solely with the proceeds of insurance to repair, rebuild or replace the asset as to which the insurance proceeds were received), cash taxes paid and Distributions made (exclusive of Distributions made consisting of repurchases of the Equity Interests of Parent to the extent the amount of such repurchase has been deducted in calculating net income when determining EBITDA), to (b) Fixed Charges."
(b)
Amendment to Section 1.1 of the Loan and Security Agreement.  The defined term "Restricted Investment" in Section 1.1 of the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
"Restricted Investment: any Investment by a Borrower or Subsidiary, other than (a) Investments in Subsidiaries to the extent existing on the Effective Date; (b) Cash Equivalents that are subject to Agent's Lien and control, pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; (c) loans and advances permitted under Section 10.2.6; (d) Permitted Acquisitions; (e) Investments existing on the Effective Date and listed on Schedule 2; (f) Investments consisting of promissory notes received as proceeds of Permitted Asset Dispositions; (g) other Investments in an aggregate amount not in excess of $2,000,000; (h) Investments by the Borrowers in Subsidiaries that have guarantied the Obligations and otherwise complied with the provisions of Section 10.1.9; (i) Investments by a Borrower in another Borrower; (j) Dundee Investments; and (k) Investments with respect to Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.2.1(h) so long as the Person in which such Investments are made remains a Borrower; provided, however, that, with the exception of loans and advances referred to in Section 10.2.6(a) and clause (h) above, such Investments will be considered Investments permitted by hereunder only if all actions have been taken to the satisfaction of Agent to provide to Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a first priority perfected security interest in all of such Investments free of all Liens other than Permitted Liens."
(c)
Exhibit A to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Exhibit in its entirety and replacing it with Exhibit A attached hereto.
(d)
Exhibit B to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Exhibit in its entirety and replacing it with Exhibit B attached hereto.
(e)
Exhibit C to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Exhibit in its entirety and replacing it with Exhibit C attached hereto.
(f)
Exhibit D to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Exhibit in its entirety and replacing it with Exhibit D attached hereto.
(g)
Exhibit E to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Exhibit in its entirety and replacing it with Exhibit E attached hereto.
(h)
Schedule 1.1 to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Schedule in its entirety and replacing it with Schedule 1.1 attached hereto.
(i)
Schedule 8.6.1 to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Schedule in its entirety and replacing it with Schedule 8.6.1 attached hereto.
(j)
Schedule 9.1.4 to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Schedule in its entirety and replacing it with Schedule 9.1.4 attached hereto.
(k)
Schedule 9.1.11 to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Schedule in its entirety and replacing it with Schedule 9.1.11 attached hereto.
§7.            Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a)
Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Agreement, all of the respective terms, conditions and provisions of the Loan and Security Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents shall remain the same.  The Loan and Security Agreement, as amended hereby, shall continue in full force and effect, and this Agreement and the Loan and Security Agreement shall be read and construed as one instrument.
(b)
THIS AGREEMENT, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES (BUT GIVING EFFECT TO FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO NATIONAL BANKS).
(c)
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one instrument.  In making proof of this Agreement it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one counterpart signed by each party hereto by and against which enforcement hereof is sought.  A facsimile or other electronic transmission of an executed counterpart shall have the same effect as the original executed counterpart.
[Intentionally Left Blank - Signature Page Follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Seventh Amendment Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION




By:/s/Timothy Benjamin
Name: Timothy Benjamin
Title: CFO
SENECA SNACK COMPANY




By:/s/Timothy Benjamin
Name: Timothy Benjamin
Title: CFO
SENECA FOODS, LLC




By:/s/Timothy Benjamin
Name: Timothy Benjamin
Title: CFO
MARION FOODS, INC.




By:/s/Timothy Benjamin
Name: Timothy Benjamin
Title: CFO
LEBANON VALLEY COLD STORAGE, LLC




By: /s/Timothy Benjamin
Name: Timothy Benjamin
Title: CFO
LEBANON VALLEY COLD STORAGE, LP
By:Lebanon Valley Cold Storage, LLC,
Its General Partner




By:/s/Timothy Benjamin
Name: Timothy Benjamin
Title: CFO
GREEN VALLEY FOODS, LLC

By:/s/Timothy Benjamin
Name: Timothy Benjamin
Title: CFO


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Agent, Lender and Issuing Bank


By:/s/Edgar Ezerins
Name: Edgar Ezerins
Title:  SVP

CITIZENS BUSINESS CAPITAL, a division of CITIZENS ASSET FINANCE, INC., (f/k/a RBS CITIZENS BUSINESS CAPITAL, a division of RBS ASSET FINANCE, INC., a subsidiary of RBS CITIZENS, N.A.), as a Lender


By:/s/ John D. Bobbin
Name: John D. Bobbin
Title: Senior Vice President

COÖPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A., "RABOBANK NEDERLAND", NEW YORK BRANCH, as a Lender


By:/s/Aurelie Vancauwenberghe
Name: Aurelie Vancauwenberghe
Title: Vice President
By:/s/Michael T. Harder
Name: Michael T. Harder
Title: Executive Director

MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY, as a Lender


By:/s/Brian Bennett
Name: Brian Bennett
Title: Assistant Vice President


U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender


By:/s/Katie McDonald
Name: Katie McDonald
Title: Vice President

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as a Lender


By:/s/Matt Harbour
Name: Matt Harbour
Title: Authorized Signatory

BMO HARRIS BANK N.A., as a Lender


By:/s/Quinn Heiden
Name: Quinn Heiden
Title: Director

GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, as a Lender


By:/s/Philip F. Carfora
Name: Philip F. Carfora
Title: Duly Authorized Signatory
GE ASSET BASED MASTER NOTE LLC, as a Lender


By:/s/Philip F. Carfora
Name: Philip F. Carfora
Title: Duly Authorized Signatory




SCHEDULE 1.1
to
Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement
COMMITMENTS OF LENDERS
Lender
 
Commitment for the period from April 1 through and including July 31 of each year
   
Commitment for the period from August 1 through and including March 31 of each year
   
Percentage of Aggregate Commitments of all Lenders
 
Bank of America, N.A.
 
$
78,750,000
   
$
105,000,000
     
26.250000000
%
Citizens Business Capital, a division of Citizens Asset Finance, Inc. (f/k/a RBS Citizens Business Capital, a division of RBS Asset Finance, Inc., a subsidiary of RBS Citizens, N.A.)
 
$
45,000,000
   
$
60,000,000
     
15.000000000
%
Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., "Rabobank Nederland", New York Branch
 
$
46,500,000
   
$
62,000,000
     
15.500000000
%
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
 
$
34,500,000
   
$
46,000,000
     
11.500000000
%
U.S. Bank National Association
 
$
36,000,000
   
$
48,000,000
     
12.000000000
%
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
 
$
26,250,000
   
$
35,000,000
     
8.750000000
%
BMO Harris Bank N.A.
 
$
19,500,000
   
$
26,000,000
     
6.500000000
%
General Electric Capital Corporation
 
$
6,750,000
   
$
9,000,000
     
2.250000000
%
GE Asset Based Master Note LLC
 
$
6,750,000
   
$
9,000,000
     
2.250000000
%
Total
 
$
300,000,000
   
$
400,000,000
     
100
%


EXHIBIT A
to
Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement
[SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED] 1 REVOLVER NOTE
[Date]
$[___________________]
New York, New York

SENECA FOODS CORPORATION, a New York corporation, SENECA FOODS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, SENECA SNACK COMPANY, a Washington corporation and GREEN VALLEY FOODS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, "Borrowers"), for value received, hereby unconditionally promise to pay, on a joint and several basis, to the order of [____________________________] ("Lender"), the principal sum of [______________________________] DOLLARS ($[___________]), or such lesser amount as may be advanced by Lender as Loans and owing as LC Obligations from time to time under the Loan Agreement described below, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon.  Terms are used herein as defined in the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of July 20, 2011, among Borrowers, Bank of America, N.A., as Agent, Lender, and certain other financial institutions and parties thereto, as amended (as such agreement may be amended, modified, renewed or extended from time to time "Loan Agreement").
Principal of and interest on this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note from time to time outstanding shall be due and payable as provided in the Loan Agreement.  This [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note is issued pursuant to and evidences Loans and LC Obligations under the Loan Agreement, to which reference is made for a statement of the rights and obligations of Lender and the duties and obligations of Borrowers.  The Loan Agreement contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity of this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note upon the happening of certain stated events, and for the borrowing, prepayment and reborrowing of amounts upon specified terms and conditions.
The holder of this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note is hereby authorized by Borrowers to record on a schedule annexed to this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note (or on a supplemental schedule) the amounts owing with respect to Loans and LC Obligations, and the payment thereof.  Failure to make any notation, however, shall not affect the rights of the holder of this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note or any obligations of Borrowers hereunder or under any other Loan Documents.
Time is of the essence of this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note.  Each Borrower and all endorsers, sureties and guarantors of this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note hereby severally waive demand, presentment for payment, protest, notice of protest, notice of intention to accelerate the maturity of this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note, diligence in collecting, the bringing of any suit against any party, and any notice of or defense on account of any extensions, renewals, partial payments, or changes in any manner of or in this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note or in any of its terms, provisions and covenants, or any releases or substitutions of any security, or any delay, indulgence or other act of any trustee or any holder hereof, whether before or after maturity.  Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay, and to save the holder of this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note harmless against, any liability for the payment of all costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees) if this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note is collected by or through an attorney-at-law.
In no contingency or event whatsoever shall the amount paid or agreed to be paid to the holder of this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note for the use, forbearance or detention of money advanced hereunder exceed the highest lawful rate permitted under Applicable Law.  If any such excess amount is inadvertently paid by Borrowers or inadvertently received by the holder of this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note, such excess shall be returned to Borrowers or credited as a payment of principal, in accordance with the Loan Agreement.  It is the intent hereof that Borrowers not pay or contract to pay, and that holder of this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note not receive or contract to receive, directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever, interest in excess of that which may be paid by Borrowers under Applicable Law.
[This [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note amends and restates and is given, in part, in substitution for, but not in satisfaction of, that certain Amended and Restated Revolver Note, dated [___________] issued by the Borrowers in favor of [___________] in the original principal amount of $[___________].]
This [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any conflict of law principles (but giving effect to federal laws relating to national banks).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this [Second Amended and Restated] Revolver Note is executed as of the date set forth above.

 
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION
By_______________________________________
Title:
 
SENECA FOODS, LLC
By_______________________________________
Title:
 
SENECA SNACK COMPANY
By_____________________________________
Title:
 
GREEN VALLEY FOODS, LLC
By_____________________________________
Title:
 




1 Amended and restated language may not be applicable to all Lenders.

EX-13 3 ex1310k033115.htm EXHIBIT 13 ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Five Year Selected Financial Data
 
                     
Summary of Operations and Financial Condition
                   
(In thousands of dollars, except per share data and ratios)
                   
                     
Years ended March 31,
 
2015
   
2014
   
2013(a)
   
2012
   
2011(b)
 
                     
Net sales
 
$
1,286,350
   
$
1,340,208
   
$
1,276,297
   
$
1,257,805
   
$
1,189,585
 
                                         
Operating income before interest (c)
 
$
19,148
   
$
23,604
   
$
70,934
   
$
25,623
   
$
32,294
 
Interest expense, net
   
5,656
     
6,262
     
7,486
     
8,102
     
8,827
 
Net earnings (c)
   
9,899
     
13,779
     
41,413
     
11,256
     
17,671
 
                                         
Basic earnings per common share (c)
 
$
0.91
   
$
1.24
   
$
3.59
   
$
0.93
   
$
1.45
 
Diluted earnings per common share (c)
   
0.90
     
1.23
     
3.57
     
0.92
     
1.45
 
                                         
Working capital
 
$
463,545
   
$
452,771
   
$
446,899
   
$
425,082
   
$
294,712
 
Inventories
   
472,412
     
451,250
     
479,730
     
432,433
     
455,236
 
Net property, plant, and equipment
   
185,557
     
183,917
     
188,407
     
192,825
     
188,012
 
Total assets
   
805,694
     
768,853
     
798,456
     
738,036
     
744,708
 
Long-term debt
                                       
  less current portion
   
271,634
     
216,239
     
230,016
     
226,873
     
90,060
 
Stockholders' equity
   
351,730
     
393,632
     
367,166
     
354,673
     
353,832
 
                                         
Additions to property, plant, and equipment
 
$
23,734
   
$
19,448
   
$
16,371
   
$
27,425
   
$
19,473
 
                                         
Net earnings/average equity
   
2.7
%
   
3.6
%
   
11.5
%
   
3.2
%
   
5.1
%
Earnings before taxes/sales
   
1.1
%
   
1.3
%
   
5.0
%
   
1.4
%
   
2.0
%
Net earnings/sales
   
0.8
%
   
1.0
%
   
3.2
%
   
0.9
%
   
1.5
%
Long-term debt/equity (d)
   
77.2
%
   
54.9
%
   
62.6
%
   
64.0
%
   
25.5
%
Total debt/equity ratio
 
1.3:1
   
1.0:1
   
1.2:1
   
1.1:1
   
1.1:1
 
Current ratio
 
4.8:1
   
4.5:1
   
3.8:1
   
4.6:1
   
2.1:1
 
                                         
Total stockholders' equity per equivalent common share (e)
 
$
34.81
   
$
35.25
   
$
32.83
   
$
29.15
   
$
28.96
 
Stockholders' equity per common share
   
35.33
     
36.12
     
33.62
     
29.81
     
29.61
 
Class A Global Market System
                                       
    closing price range
   
32.65-25.06
     
36.07-27.80
     
33.63-21.42
     
29.73-18.34
     
32.68-22.02
 
Class B Global Market System
                                       
    closing price range
   
41.00-27.91
     
36.29-27.42
     
33.40-21.41
     
29.70-19.20
     
32.99-22.30
 
Price earnings ratio
   
31.5
     
25.6
     
9.2
     
28.7
     
20.5
 
                                         
(a) The fiscal 2013 financial results include two and one-half months of operating activity related to the Sunnyside acquisition.
 
(b) The fiscal 2011 financial results include eight months of operating activity related to the Lebanon acquisition.
 
(c) The effect of using the LIFO inventory valuation method in fiscal 2015 was to reduce operating earnings by $10.7 million and net
 
earnings by $6.9 million or $0.64 per share ($0.63 diluted). The effect of using the LIFO inventory valuation method in fiscal
 
2014 was to reduce operating earnings by $20.4 million and net earnings by $13.2 million or $1.19 per share ($1.19 diluted).
 
The effect of using the LIFO inventory valuation method in fiscal 2013 was to increase operating earnings by $4.2 million
 
and net earnings by $2.7 million or $0.24 per share ($0.24 diluted). The effect of using the LIFO inventory valuation method in
 
Fiscal 2012 was to reduce operating earnings by $47.4 million and net earnings by $30.8 million or $2.53 per share ($2.52 diluted).
 
The effect of using the LIFO inventory valuation method in fiscal 2011 was to increase operating earnings by $7.9 million and net
 
earnings by $5.1 million or $0.42 per share ($0.42 diluted).
 
(d) The long-term debt to equity percentage for fiscal 2015-2012 include the Revolving Credit Facility as discussed
 
in Note 4, Long-Term Debt. During fiscal 2011, the Revolving Credit Facility was included in current liabilities. If calculated on a
 
comparable basis to other fiscal years, the fiscal 2011 percentage would be 63.8%.
 
(e) Equivalent common shares are either common shares or, for convertible preferred shares, the number of common shares that the
 
preferred shares are convertible into. See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for conversion details.
 
1

Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
OVERVIEW
 
Our Business
 
Seneca Foods is North America's leading provider of packaged fruits and vegetables, with facilities located throughout the United States. Its high quality products are primarily sourced from over 2,000 American farms.
 
Seneca holds the largest share of the retail private label, food service, and export canned vegetable markets, distributing to over 90 countries.   Products are also sold under the highly regarded brands of Libby's®, Green Valley®, Aunt Nellie's®, READ®, Seneca Farms® and Seneca labels, including Seneca snack chips.  In addition, Seneca provides vegetable products under an alliance with General Mills Operations, LLC, a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc., under the Green Giant label.
 
The Company's business strategies are designed to grow the Company's market share and enhance the Company's sales and margins and include: 1) expand the Company's leadership in the packaged fruit and vegetable industry; 2) provide low cost, high quality fruit and vegetable products to consumers through the elimination of costs from the Company's supply chain and investment in state-of-the-art production and logistical technology; 3) focus on growth opportunities to capitalize on higher expected returns; and 4) pursue strategic acquisitions that leverage the Company's core competencies.
 
All references to years are fiscal years ended March 31 unless otherwise indicated.
 
Restructuring
 
During 2015, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $1.4 million related to the closing of a plant in the Midwest and the realignment of two other plants, one in the Midwest and the other in the Northwest, of which $0.8 million was related to severance cost, $0.3 million was related to equipment costs (contra fixed assets), and $0.3 million was related to equipment relocation costs.
 
During 2013, the Company implemented a product rationalization program and recorded a restructuring charge of $3.5 million for related equipment costs (contra fixed assets), lease impairment costs (net of realizable value), and certain inventory costs. During 2014, the Company adjusted the costs of the product rationalization program, started in 2013, by $0.5 million, mostly related to equipment costs.
 
These charges are included under Plant Restructuring in the Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings.
 
Divestitures, Other Charges and Credits
 
Other operating income in 2015 included a gain of $5.0 million related to a contractual payment received in connection with the closing of a Midwest plant and a charge of $0.3 million related to environmental costs related to a Company-owned plant in New York State.  The Company also recorded a gain of $0.1 million from the sale of other fixed assets.
 
Other operating income in 2014 included a gain of $2.9 million from a break-up fee earned as a result of the Company being named the stalking horse bidder in an attempt to acquire substantially all the operating assets of Allens, Inc. in a bankruptcy court supervised auction, a gain of $0.7 million from the sale of two aircraft and a gain of $0.1 million as a result of adjustments related to the purchase of Sunnyside. The Company also recorded a loss of $0.5 million on the disposal of a warehouse located in Sunnyside, Washington and a net gain of $0.2 million from the sale of other fixed assets.
 
Other operating income in 2013 included a gain of $2.0 million as a result of the estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired exceeding the purchase price of Sunnyside.  The Company also recorded a gain of $0.3 million from the sale of property located in Cambria, Wisconsin and a net loss of $0.3 million on the disposal of certain other fixed assets.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
The Company's primary cash requirements are to make payments on the Company's debt, finance seasonal working capital needs and to make capital expenditures. Internally generated funds and amounts available under the revolving credit facility are the Company's primary sources of liquidity, although the Company believes it has the ability to raise additional capital by issuing additional stock, if it desires.
 
2

Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 Revolving Credit Facility
 
The Company completed the closing of a five year revolving credit facility ("Revolver") on July 20, 2011. The available borrowings under the Revolver are $300.0 million from April through July and $400.0 million from August through March of each year under the Revolver. The Revolver balance as of March 31, 2015 was $233.0 million and is included in Long-Term Debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. In order to maintain availability of funds under the facility, the Company pays a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Revolver.  The Revolver is secured by the Company's accounts receivable and inventories and contains a financial covenant and borrowing base requirements.  The Company utilizes its Revolver for general corporate purposes, including seasonal working capital needs, to pay debt principal and interest obligations, and to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions. Seasonal working capital needs are affected by the growing cycles of the vegetables and fruits the Company packages. The majority of vegetable and fruit inventories are produced during the months of June through November and are then sold over the following year. Payment terms for vegetable and fruit produce are generally three months but can vary from a few days to seven months. Accordingly, the Company's need to draw on the Revolver may fluctuate significantly throughout the year.
 
The Company believes that cash flows from operations and availability under its Revolver will provide adequate funds for the Company's working capital needs, planned capital expenditures and debt service obligations for at least the next 12 months.
 
Seasonality
 
The Company's revenues typically are higher in the second and third fiscal quarters. This is due, in part, because the Company sells, on a bill and hold basis, Green Giant canned and frozen vegetables to GMOL at the end of each pack cycle, which typically occurs during these quarters. GMOL buys the product from the Company at cost plus an equivalent case tolling fee. See the Critical Accounting Policies section for further details. The Company's non-Green Giant sales also exhibit seasonality with the third fiscal quarter generating the highest sales due to increased retail sales during the holiday season.
 
The seasonality of the Company's business is illustrated by the following table:

   
First Quarter
   
Second Quarter
   
Third Quarter
   
Fourth Quarter
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Year ended March 31, 2015:
               
Net sales
 
$
240,043
   
$
312,161
   
$
456,207
   
$
277,939
 
Gross margin
   
16,996
     
16,804
     
26,084
     
23,273
 
Net (loss) earnings
   
(107
)
   
(578
)
   
7,819
     
2,765
 
Inventories (at quarter end)
   
467,290
     
731,527
     
547,149
     
472,412
 
Revolver outstanding (at quarter end)
   
180,050
     
302,220
     
255,000
     
233,000
 
                                 
Year ended March 31, 2014:
                               
Net sales
 
$
232,127
   
$
336,628
   
$
477,694
   
$
293,759
 
Gross margin
   
19,680
     
22,379
     
31,178
     
17,726
 
Net earnings (loss)
   
1,347
     
6,603
     
6,846
     
(1,017
)
Inventories (at quarter end)
   
484,694
     
758,654
     
550,723
     
451,250
 
Revolver outstanding (at quarter end)
   
151,026
     
282,000
     
226,000
     
175,000
 
 
Short-Term Borrowings
 
During 2015, the Company entered into some interim lease notes which financed down payments for various equipment orders at market rates.  As of March 31, 2015, these interim notes had not been converted into operating leases since the equipment was not yet delivered.  These notes, which total $9.9 million and $12.3 million as of March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively, are included in notes payable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.  These notes are expected to be converted into operating leases within the next twelve months. Until then, they bear interest at an annual rate of 1.67% in 2015 and 1.65% in 2014.
 
The maximum level of short-term borrowings during 2015 was affected by the 50% investment in Truitt Bros. Inc. of $16.2 million, which took place in April 2014, and the purchase of treasury stock totaling $33.5 million.  During 2014, the maximum level of short-term borrowings was affected by the payoff of a $36.7 million loan to a third party lender, which took place in August 2013. Details of the Truitt acquisition are outlined in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
General terms of the Revolver include payment of interest at LIBOR plus an agreed upon spread.
 
3

Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following table documents the quantitative data for Short-Term Borrowings during 2015 and 2014:

   
Fourth Quarter
   
Year Ended
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Reported end of period:
               
  Revolver outstanding
 
$
233,000
   
$
175,000
   
$
233,000
   
$
175,000
 
  Weighted average interest rate
   
1.92
%
   
1.65
%
   
1.92
%
   
1.65
%
Reported during period:
                               
  Maximum Revolver
 
$
263,627
   
$
239,482
   
$
323,646
   
$
318,601
 
  Average Revolver outstanding
 
$
252,013
   
$
213,487
   
$
234,726
   
$
214,528
 
  Weighted average interest rate
   
1.93
%
   
1.49
%
   
1.63
%
   
1.60
%

Long-Term Debt

At March 31, 2015, the Company has two mortgages outstanding for $16.9 million, and four industrial revenue bonds ("IRBs"), totaling $22.6 million. As discussed in Note 4 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company classified its Revolver balance as long-term debt at March 31, 2015. On August 1, 2013, the Company paid a final $36.7 million principal payment due on a secured note payable to John Hancock Life Insurance Company. The Company issued a $1.5 million new economic development note during 2014. The Company did not issue any significant long-term debt in 2015, other than the Revolver.

As of March 31, 2015, scheduled maturities of long-term debt in each of the five succeeding fiscal years and thereafter are presented below. The March 31, 2015 Revolver balance of $233.0 million is presented as being due in fiscal 2017, based upon the Revolver's July 20, 2016 maturity date (in thousands):

 
2016
 
$
2,530
 
2017
   
235,667
 
2018
   
7,904
 
2019
   
3,034
 
2020
   
2,531
 
Thereafter
   
22,498
 
Total
 
$
274,164
 
 
       

Restrictive Covenants

The Company's debt agreements, including the Revolver, contain covenants that restrict the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on the Company's capital stock, make other restricted payments, including investments, sell the Company's assets, incur liens, transfer all or substantially all of the Company's assets and enter into consolidations or mergers. The Company's debt agreements also require the Company to meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The Revolver also contains borrowing base requirements related to accounts receivable and inventories. These financial requirements and ratios generally become more restrictive over time and are subject to allowances for seasonal fluctuations. The most restrictive financial covenant in the debt agreements is the fixed charge coverage ratio within the Master Reimbursement Agreement with General Electric Commercial Finance, which relates to the Secured Industrial Revenue Development Bonds. In connection with the Company's decision to adopt the LIFO method of inventory accounting, effective December 30, 2007, the Company executed amendments to its debt agreements, which enable the Company to compute its financial covenants as if the Company were on the FIFO method of inventory accounting. The Company was in compliance with all such financial covenants as of March 31, 2015.

4

Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures in 2015 totaled $26.2 million and there were two major projects in 2015 as follows: 1) $7.5 million to complete a warehouse project in Sunnyside, Washington started in 2014, and 2) $2.1 million to buyout a Clyman, Wisconsin equipment lease. Capital expenditures in 2014 totaled $17.0 million and included $7.6 million towards the completion of a pouch building project in Janesville, Wisconsin, and $3.6 million for the start of a warehouse project in Sunnyside, Washington, equipment replacements and other improvements, and cost saving projects. Capital expenditures in 2013 totaled $17.0 million and included $3.3 million to complete a warehouse expansion in Ripon, Wisconsin started in 2012 and $0.5 million to complete a dock expansion project in Lebanon, Pennsylvania started in 2012, equipment replacements and other improvements, and cost saving projects.

Accounts Receivable

In 2015, accounts receivable decreased by $7.1 million or 9.3% versus 2014, due to the impact of decreased sales volume in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to 2014.  In 2014, accounts receivable decreased by $1.3 million or 1.6% versus 2013, due to the impact on cash receipts due to the timing of year end, partially offset by higher sales volume in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the 2013.

Inventories

In 2015, inventories increased by $21.1 million primarily reflecting the effect of higher finished goods quantities and higher work in process quantities. The LIFO reserve balance was $164.1 million at March 31, 2015 versus $153.4 million at the prior year end.

In 2014, inventories decreased by $28.5 million primarily reflecting a $46.3 million decrease in finished goods due to the increase in the LIFO reserve balance and the short 2013 pack (fiscal 2014) of certain commodities, partially offset by the effect of higher raw material quantities. The LIFO reserve balance was $153.4 million at March 31, 2014 versus $133.0 million at the prior year end.

The Company believes that the use of the LIFO method better matches current costs with current revenues.

Critical Accounting Policies

During the year ended March 31, 2015, the Company sold for cash, on a bill and hold basis, $138.6 million of Green Giant finished goods inventory to GMOL. As of March 31, 2015, $60.5 million of this product, included in 2015 sales, remained unshipped. At the time of the sale of the Green Giant vegetables to GMOL, title of the specified inventory transferred to GMOL. The Company believes it has met the criteria required by the accounting standards for bill and hold treatment.

Trade promotions are an important component of the sales and marketing of the Company's branded products and are critical to the support of the business. Trade promotion costs, which are recorded as a reduction of net sales, include amounts paid to encourage retailers to offer temporary price reductions for the sale of the Company's products to consumers, amounts paid to obtain favorable display positions in retail stores, and amounts paid to retailers for shelf space in retail stores. Accruals for trade promotions are recorded primarily at the time of sale of product to the retailer based on expected levels of performance. Settlement of these liabilities typically occurs in subsequent periods primarily through an authorized process for deductions taken by a retailer from amounts otherwise due to the Company. As a result, the ultimate cost of a trade promotion program is dependent on the relative success of the events and the actions and level of deductions taken by retailers for amounts they consider due to them. Final determination of the permissible deductions may take extended periods of time.

The Company assesses its long-lived assets for impairment whenever there is an indicator of impairment. Property, plant, and equipment are depreciated over their assigned lives. The assigned lives and the projected cash flows used to test impairment are subjective. If actual lives are shorter than anticipated or if future cash flows are less than anticipated, a future impairment charge or a loss on disposal of the assets could be incurred. Impairment losses are evaluated if the estimated undiscounted value of the cash flows is less than the carrying value. If such is the case, a loss is recognized when the carrying value of an asset exceeds its fair value.

Obligations and Commitments

As of March 31, 2015, the Company was obligated to make cash payments in connection with its debt, operating leases, and purchase commitments. The effect of these obligations and commitments on the Company's liquidity and cash flows in future periods are listed below. All of these arrangements require cash payments over varying periods of time. Certain of these arrangements are cancelable on short notice and others require additional payments as part of any early termination.

5

Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
   
Contractual Obligations
     
   
March 31, 2015
     
                     
               
2021
     
   
2016
     
2017-18
     
2019-20
   
and beyond
   
Total
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Long-term debt
 
$
2,530
   
$
243,571
   
$
5,565
   
$
22,498
   
$
274,164
 
Interest
   
5,373
     
3,657
     
1,524
     
2,081
     
12,635
 
Operating lease obligations
   
42,585
     
71,236
     
52,550
     
33,239
     
199,610
 
Purchase commitments
   
204,722
     
     
     
     
204,722
 
Total
 
$
255,210
   
$
318,464
   
$
59,639
   
$
57,818
   
$
691,131
 
 
In addition, the Company's defined benefit plan has an unfunded pension liability of $55.0 million which is subject to certain actuarial assumptions.  The unfunded status increased by $39.1 million during 2015 reflecting the actual fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation as of March 31, 2015.  This unfunded status increase was recognized via the actual gain on plan assets and the increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $20.6 million after the income tax benefit of $13.2 million.  The increase in projected benefit obligation was a function of a decrease in the discount rate from 4.85% to 4.15% and the change to using an updated mortality table. During 2015, the Company converted to the RP-2014 Blue Collar and Generational Improvement mortality table for calculating the pension obligation and the related pension expense. This change increased the projected benefit obligation by $6.6 million and had no impact on 2015 pension expense. This conversion is expected to increase the 2016 defined benefit pension plan expense by $1.2 million. Plan assets increased from $154.7 million as of March 31, 2014 to $157.9 million as of March 31, 2015 due to a continued recovery in market conditions and the $0.4 million contribution by the Company.  The Company made this contribution to maintain its funding status at an acceptable level.
 
During 2015, the Company entered into new operating leases of approximately $47.9 million, based on the if-purchased value, which was primarily for agricultural and packaging equipment.
 
Purchase commitments represent estimated payments to growers for crops that will be grown during the calendar 2015 season.
 
Due to uncertainties related to FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740, Income Taxes, the Company is not able to reasonably estimate the cash settlements required in future periods.
 
The Company has no off-balance sheet debt or other unrecorded obligations other than operating lease obligations and purchase commitments noted above.
 
Standby Letters of Credit
 
The Company has standby letters of credit for certain insurance-related requirements. The majority of the Company's standby letters of credit are automatically renewed annually, unless the issuer gives cancellation notice in advance. On March 31, 2015, the Company had $11.0 million in outstanding standby letters of credit. These standby letters of credit are supported by the Company's Revolver and reduce borrowings available under the Revolver.
 
Cash Flows
 
In 2015, the Company's cash and cash equivalents decreased by $3.2 million, which is due to the net impact of $19.4 million provided by operating activities, $42.1 million used in investing activities, and $19.5 million provided by financing activities.
 
Operating Activities
 
Cash provided by operating activities decreased to $19.4 million in 2015 from $55.6 million in 2014. The decrease is primarily attributable to increased inventories, exclusive of LIFO, and a decrease in net earnings in 2015 versus 2014, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable and a decrease in other current assets (mostly lease deposits). The 2015 LIFO charge of $10.7 million resulted in an increase in the tax payment deferral of $3.7 million.
 
6

Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Cash provided by operating activities increased to $55.6 million in 2014 from $30.3 million in 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to a lower increase in other current assets (mostly lease deposits) and decreased inventories, exclusive of LIFO, partially offset by a decrease in net earnings in 2014 versus 2013. The 2014 LIFO charge of $20.4 million resulted in an increase in the tax payment deferral of $7.1 million.
 
The cash requirements of the business fluctuate significantly throughout the year to coincide with the seasonal growing cycles of vegetables and fruits. The majority of the inventories are produced during the packing months, from June through November, and are then sold over the following year. Cash flow from operating activities is one of the Company's main sources of liquidity.
 
Investing Activities
 
Cash used in investing activities was $42.1 million for 2015, principally reflecting capital expenditures and a purchase of an equity method investment of $16.2 million. Capital expenditures aggregated $26.2 million in 2015 versus $17.0 million in 2014. The increase was primarily attributable to more large projects in 2015. There were two major projects in 2015 as follows: 1) $7.5 million to complete a warehouse project in Sunnyside, Washington started in 2014, and 2) $2.1 million to buyout a Clyman, Wisconsin equipment lease.
 
Cash used in investing activities was $16.0 million for 2014, principally reflecting capital expenditures. Capital expenditures aggregated $17.0 million in 2014 and in 2013. There were two major projects in 2014 as follows: 1) $7.6 million towards the completion of pouch building project in Janesville, Wisconsin, and 2) $3.6 million for the start of a warehouse project in Sunnyside, Washington.
 
Financing Activities
 
Cash provided by financing activities was $19.5 million in 2015 representing a net increase in the Revolver of $55.6 million partially offset by a partial payoff of interim funding of $2.4 million and the purchase of $33.5 million of treasury stock during 2015 versus $0.7 million purchased in 2014.
 
Cash used by financing activities was $39.9 million in 2014 representing a net pay down on the Revolver of $51.7 million partially offset by interim funding of $12.3 million.  The Company purchased $0.7 million of treasury stock during 2014 versus $28.4 million purchased in 2013.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Classes of similar products/services:
 
2015
   
2014
   
2013
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Net Sales:
   
GMOL *
 
$
161,993
   
$
177,881
   
$
165,684
 
Canned vegetables
   
754,556
     
753,318
     
746,892
 
Frozen *
   
94,648
     
107,109
     
84,935
 
Fruit
   
234,918
     
264,549
     
245,596
 
Snack
   
11,667
     
11,496
     
11,357
 
Other
   
28,568
     
25,855
     
21,833
 
Total
 
$
1,286,350
   
$
1,340,208
   
$
1,276,297
 
                         
* GMOL includes frozen vegetable sales exclusively for GMOL.
 
 
Fiscal 2015 versus Fiscal 2014
 
Net sales for 2015 decreased $53.9 million, from $1,340.2 million to $1,286.3 million. The decrease primarily reflects a $15.9 million decrease in GMOL sales, a $29.6 million decrease in fruit sales, a $12.5 million decrease in frozen sales, a $1.2 million increase in canned vegetables sales and a $2.7 million increase in other sales. The decrease in sales is attributable to decreased sales volume of $95.5 million partially offset by higher selling prices/more favorable sales mix of $41.6 million. The increased selling prices/more favorable sales mix is primarily due to canned fruit.
 
 
7

Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Cost of product sold as a percentage of sales increased from 93.2% in 2014 to 93.5% in 2015 primarily as a result of higher commodity costs and the impact of lower production volume with fixed costs, partially offset by a $9.7 million LIFO charge decrease in 2015 versus 2014.
 
Selling, general and administrative expense was unchanged at 5.2% of sales in 2015 and 2014.
 
Other operating income in 2015 included a gain of $5.0 million related to a contractual payment received in connection with the closing of a Midwest plant, a charge of $0.3 million related to environmental costs related to a Company-owned plant in New York State.  The Company also recorded a gain of $0.1 million from the sale of other fixed assets. Other operating income in 2014 included a gain of $2.9 million from a break-up fee earned as a result of the Company being named the stalking horse bidder in an attempt to acquire substantially all the operating assets of Allens, Inc. in a bankruptcy court supervised auction, a gain of $0.7 million from the sale of two aircraft and a gain of $0.1 million as a result of adjustments related to the purchase of Sunnyside.  The Company also recorded a loss of $0.5 million on the disposal of a warehouse located in Sunnyside, Washington and a net gain of $0.2 million from the sale of other fixed assets.
 
Plant restructuring costs, which are described in detail in the Restructuring section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, increased from $0.5 million in 2014 to $1.4 million in 2015.  This $1.4 million charge was mostly due to the closing of a plant in the Midwest in 2015.  Product rationalization costs incurred in 2013 were adjusted in 2014.
 
Interest expense, net, decreased from $6.3 million in 2014 to $5.7 million in 2015 due to the continuing pay down of higher cost debt in 2015 partially offset by higher average Revolver borrowings in 2015 versus 2014.
 
As a result of the aforementioned factors, pre-tax earnings decreased from $17.3 million in 2014 to $14.1 million in 2015. The effective tax rate was 29.9% in 2015 and 20.5% in 2014. Of the 9.4 percentage point increase in the effective tax rate for the year, the major contributors to this increase are the following items, 1) the establishment of a valuation allowance related to the New York State investment tax credit, 2) with lower pre-tax earnings, the permanent items have a larger impact on the effective rate, and 3) less federal credits generated in the current year compared to the prior year.  The impact of these increases was partially offset by the manufacturer's deduction being a higher percentage of current year earnings than the prior year.
 
Fiscal 2014 versus Fiscal 2013
 
Net sales for 2014 increased $63.9 million, from $1,276.3 million to $1,340.2 million. The increase primarily reflects a $22.2 million increase in frozen sales, a $19.0 million increase in fruit sales in part due to the January 2013 Sunnyside acquisition, a $12.2 million increase in GMOL sales, a $6.4 million increase in canned vegetables sales and a $4.0 million increase in other sales. The increase in sales is attributable to increased sales volume of $79.1 million partially offset by lower selling prices/less favorable sales mix of $15.2 million. The decreased selling prices/less favorable sales mix is primarily due to canned and frozen vegetables.
 
Cost of product sold as a percentage of sales increased from 88.9% in 2013 to 93.2% in 2014 primarily as a result of a $24.6 million LIFO charge increase in 2014 versus 2013, due to higher commodity costs, and somewhat lower selling prices in 2014 versus 2013.
 
Selling, general and administrative expense was 5.2% of sales in 2014 and 5.4% of sales in 2013.
 
Other operating income in 2014 included a gain of $2.9 million from a break-up fee earned as a result of the Company being named the stalking horse bidder in an attempt to acquire substantially all the operating assets of Allens, Inc. in a bankruptcy court supervised auction, a gain of $0.7 million from the sale of two aircraft and a gain of $0.1 million as a result of adjustments related to the purchase of Sunnyside.  The Company also recorded a loss of $0.5 million on the disposal of a warehouse located in Sunnyside, Washington and a net gain of $0.2 million from the sale of other fixed assets.  Other operating income in 2013 consisted of a gain of $2.0 million as a result of the estimated fair market value of the assets acquired exceeding the purchase price of Sunnyside.
 
Plant restructuring costs, which are described in detail in the Restructuring section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, decreased from $3.5 million in 2013 to $0.5 million in 2014.  This was due to the product rationalization costs incurred in 2013 and adjusted in 2014.
 
Interest expense, net, decreased from $7.5 million in 2013 to $6.2 million in 2014 due to the continuing pay down of higher cost debt in 2014 partially offset by higher average Revolver borrowings in 2014 versus 2013.
 
8

Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
As a result of the aforementioned factors, pre-tax earnings decreased from $63.4 million in 2013 to $17.3 million in 2014. The effective tax rate was 20.5% in 2014 and 34.7% in 2013. Of the 14.2 percentage point decrease in the effective tax rate for the year, the major contributors to this decrease are the following items, 1) with lower pre-tax earnings due to part to a large LIFO charge versus a credit in the prior year, the permanent items have a larger impact on the effective rate, 2) the manufacturers deduction is a higher percentage of current year earnings than the prior year, 3) the reversal of certain tax reserves related to New York State investment tax credit and 4) work opportunity credit, research and experimentation credit and fuel tax credit and miscellaneous permanent items.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity ("ASU 2014-08"). ASU 2014-08 changes the definition of discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. The new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. This new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard effective date was recently proposed to be delayed a year and if approved will be effective for the Company on April 1, 2018 (beginning of fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting. The Company does not anticipate a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows as a result of this change.
 
9

Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
The Company maintained $10.6 million in cash equivalents as of March 31, 2015. As a result of its regular borrowing activities, the Company's operating results are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates, which it manages primarily through its regular financing activities. The Company uses a revolving credit facility with variable interest rates to finance capital expenditures, acquisitions, seasonal working capital requirements and to pay debt principal and interest obligations. In addition, long-term debt includes secured notes payable. Long-term debt bears interest at fixed and variable rates. With $257.4 million in average variable-rate debt during fiscal 2015, a 1% change in interest rates would have had a $2.6 million effect on interest expense. The following table provides information about the Company's financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity date. Weighted average interest rates on long-term variable-rate debt are based on rates as of March 31, 2015.
 

Interest Rate Sensitivity of Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Investments
 
March 31, 2015
 
(In thousands)
 
                                 
   
P A Y M E N T S B Y Y E A R
         
                           
Total/
   
Estimated
 
                           
Weighted
   
Fair
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
   
Thereafter
   
Average
   
Value
 
                                 
Fixed-rate L/T debt:
                               
  Principal cash flows
 
$
2,530
   
$
2,667
   
$
2,844
   
$
3,034
   
$
2,531
   
$
4,928
   
$
18,534
   
$
19,369
 
  Average interest rate
   
6.57
%
   
6.59
%
   
6.62
%
   
6.67
%
   
6.71
%
   
6.68
%
   
6.66
%
       
Variable-rate L/T debt:
                                                               
  Principal cash flows
 
$
-
   
$
233,000
   
$
5,060
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
17,570
   
$
255,630
   
$
255,630
 
  Average interest rate
   
-
%
   
1.92
%
   
2.97
%
   
-
%
   
-
%
   
2.97
%
   
2.02
%
       
Average Revolver debt:
                                                               
  Principal cash flows
                                                 
$
234,726
   
$
234,726
 
  Average interest rate
                                                   
1.63
%
       
Short-term investments:
                                                               
  Average balance
                                                 
$
8,006
   
$
8,006
 
  Average interest rate
                                                   
0.07
%
       
 
Commodity Risk
 
The materials that the Company uses, such as vegetables, fruits, steel, ingredients, and packaging materials, as well as the electricity and natural gas used in the Company's business, are commodities that may experience price volatility caused by external factors including market fluctuations, availability, weather, currency fluctuations, and changes in governmental regulations and agricultural programs. These events may result in reduced supplies of these materials, higher supply costs, or interruptions in the Company's production schedules. If prices of these raw materials increase and the Company is not able to effectively pass such price increases along to its customers, operating income will decrease. With $204.7 million in produce costs expected during 2016, a 1% change would have a $2.0 million effect on inventory costs. A 1% change in steel unit costs would equate to a $1.0 million cost impact.
 
The Company does not currently hedge or otherwise use derivative instruments to manage interest rate or commodity risks.
 
10

Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings
 
Seneca Foods Corporation and Subsidiaries
           
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
           
             
Years ended March 31,
 
2015
   
2014
   
2013
 
             
             
Net sales
 
$
1,286,350
   
$
1,340,208
   
$
1,276,297
 
                         
Costs and expenses:
                       
  Cost of products sold
   
1,203,193
     
1,249,245
     
1,134,985
 
  Selling, general, and administrative expense
   
67,381
     
70,129
     
68,852
 
  Other operating income, net
   
(4,748
)
   
(3,271
)
   
(1,971
)
  Plant restructuring
   
1,376
     
501
     
3,497
 
    Total costs and expenses
   
1,267,202
     
1,316,604
     
1,205,363
 
                         
Operating income
   
19,148
     
23,604
     
70,934
 
Earnings from equity investment
   
(628
)
   
-
     
-
 
Interest expense, net of interest income of
                       
  $18, $4, and $179, respectively
   
5,656
     
6,262
     
7,486
 
                         
Earnings before income taxes
   
14,120
     
17,342
     
63,448
 
Income tax expense
   
4,221
     
3,563
     
22,035
 
    Net earnings
 
$
9,899
   
$
13,779
   
$
41,413
 
                         
  Basic earnings per common share
 
$
0.91
   
$
1.24
   
$
3.59
 
                         
  Diluted earnings per common share
 
$
0.90
   
$
1.23
   
$
3.57
 
                         
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
                       

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
             
Seneca Foods Corporation and Subsidiaries
           
(In thousands)
           
             
Years ended March 31,
 
2015
   
2014
   
2013
 
             
Comprehensive income (loss):
           
  Net earnings
 
$
9,899
   
$
13,779
   
$
41,413
 
  Change in pension and postretirement benefits
                       
    (net of income tax of $13,140, $7,222, and $493, respectively)
   
(20,552
)
   
11,296
     
771
 
                         
    Total
 
$
(10,653
)
 
$
25,075
   
$
42,184
 
                         
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
                       
11

Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Seneca Foods Corporation and Subsidiaries
       
(In thousands)
       
         
March 31,
 
2015
   
2014
 
         
Assets
       
Current Assets:
       
  Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
10,608
   
$
13,839
 
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
               
    of $145 and $160, respectively
   
69,837
     
76,964
 
  Inventories:
               
    Finished products
   
301,705
     
304,955
 
    In process
   
10,167
     
12,353
 
    Raw materials and supplies
   
160,540
     
133,942
 
     
472,412
     
451,250
 
  Deferred income taxes, net
   
6,997
     
8,412
 
  Other current assets
   
27,439
     
33,594
 
    Total Current Assets
   
587,293
     
584,059
 
Deferred income tax asset, net
   
14,829
     
-
 
Other assets
   
18,015
     
877
 
Property, plant, and equipment:
               
  Land
   
20,971
     
19,639
 
  Buildings and improvements
   
200,739
     
180,202
 
  Equipment
   
347,169
     
347,935
 
     
568,879
     
547,776
 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
   
383,322
     
363,859
 
  Net property, plant, and equipment
   
185,557
     
183,917
 
      Total Assets
 
$
805,694
   
$
768,853
 
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
               
Current Liabilities:
               
  Notes payable
 
$
9,903
   
$
12,255
 
  Accounts payable
   
68,105
     
71,219
 
  Accrued vacation
   
11,347
     
10,997
 
  Accrued payroll
   
6,344
     
7,516
 
  Other accrued expenses
   
23,732
     
26,111
 
  Current portion of long-term debt
   
2,530
     
2,277
 
  Income taxes payable
   
1,787
     
913
 
    Total Current Liabilities
   
123,748
     
131,288
 
Long-term debt, less current portion
   
271,634
     
216,239
 
Pension liabilities
   
54,960
     
15,828
 
Other liabilities
   
3,622
     
11,527
 
Deferred income taxes, net
   
-
     
339
 
    T