United States Securities and Exchange Commission Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 12b-25 NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING SEC FILING NO. 0-01989 CUSIP NUMBER 817070501 817070105 Check One:[ ] Form 10-K [ ] Form 20-F [X] Form 11-K [ ] Form 10-Q [ ] Form N-SAR For Period Ended: December 31, 2003 [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K [ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F [ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR For the Transition Period Ended: N/A Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has verified any information contained herein. If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates: N/A Part I Registrant Information Full Name of Registrant: SENECA FOODS CORPORATION Former Name if Applicable: N/A Address of Principal Executive Office: 3736 South Main Street Marion, New York 14505 Part II Rules 12b-25(b) and (c) If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b- 25(b), the following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate). [X] (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense; (b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable. Part III Narrative State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Form 10-K and Form 10-KSB, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q and N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof could not be filed within the prescribed period. Due to the transition of the registrant's 401-k service provider to a third party for the recordkeeping purposes during the year, the registrant's 401-k service provider was unable, without unreasonable effort and expense, to prepare its accounting records and schedules in sufficient time to allow the registrant's accountants to complete its review of the 401-k financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2003, before the required filing date for its Form 11-K. Part IV Other Information (1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this notification: Jeffrey L. Van Riper (315) 926-8100 (2) Have all other periodic reports required under section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If the answer is no, identify report(s). [X] Yes [ ] No (3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof? [ ] Yes [X] No If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made. Seneca Foods Corporation ------------------------ (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Date: June 29, 2004 /s/ Kraig H. Kayser ------------------- Kraig H. Kayser President and Chief Executive Officer