Annual Statements Open main menu

Seneca Foods Corp - Quarter Report: 2007 September (Form 10-Q)

a10q092907.htm
 


Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C.  20549


QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the Quarter Ended September 29, 2007
Commission File Number  0-01989
Seneca Foods Corporation
(Exact name of Company as specified in its charter)
New York
16-0733425
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I. R. S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)

3736 South Main Street, Marion, New York
14505
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Company's telephone number, including area code          315/926-8100

Not Applicable
Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report

Indicate by check mark whether the Company (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 Company 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 Company is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large accelerated filer          Accelerated filer     X      Non-accelerated filer       

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

Yes   No   X   

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock at the latest practical date are:

Class
Shares Outstanding at October 31, 2007
Common Stock Class A, $.25 Par
4,825,268
Common Stock Class B, $.25 Par
2,760,905




PART I ITEM 1 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
             
   
Unaudited
       
   
September 29, 2007
   
March 31, 2007
 
ASSETS
           
             
Current Assets:
           
Cash and Cash Equivalents
  $
8,760
    $
8,552
 
Accounts Receivable, Net
   
72,447
     
55,500
 
Inventories:
               
Finished Goods
   
630,814
     
286,866
 
Work in Process
   
47,924
     
21,635
 
Raw Materials
   
53,829
     
71,986
 
Off-Season Reserve (Note 2)
    (79,582 )    
-
 
Total Inventory
   
652,985
     
380,487
 
Deferred Income Tax Asset, Net
   
6,565
     
6,260
 
Other Current Assets
   
2,189
     
640
 
Total Current Assets
   
742,946
     
451,439
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
   
182,551
     
172,235
 
Deferred Income Tax Asset, Net
   
323
     
-
 
Other Assets
   
2,650
     
3,041
 
Total Assets
  $
928,470
    $
626,715
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts Payable
  $
234,365
    $
58,615
 
Accrued Expenses
   
47,980
     
38,980
 
Accrued Vacation
   
9,067
     
8,999
 
Income Taxes Payable
   
3,856
     
357
 
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt and Capital
               
Lease Obligations
   
10,001
     
10,033
 
Total Current Liabilities
   
305,269
     
116,984
 
Long-Term Debt, Less Current Portion
   
314,167
     
210,395
 
Deferred Income Taxes, Net
   
-
     
4,120
 
Other Long-Term Liabilities
   
22,567
     
21,645
 
    Total Liabilities
   
642,003
     
353,144
 
Commitments
               
10% Preferred Stock, Series A, Voting, Cumulative,
               
Convertible, $.025 Par Value Per Share
   
102
     
102
 
10% Preferred Stock, Series B, Voting, Cumulative,
               
Convertible, $.025 Par Value Per Share
   
100
     
100
 
6% Preferred Stock, Voting, Cumulative, $.25 Par Value
   
50
     
50
 
Convertible, Participating Preferred Stock, $12.00
               
Stated Value Per Share
   
35,606
     
35,691
 
Convertible, Participating Preferred Stock, $15.50
               
Stated Value Per Share
   
8,667
     
8,676
 
Convertible, Participating Preferred Stock, $24.39
               
Stated Value Per Share
   
25,000
     
25,000
 
Common Stock $.25 Par Value Per Share
   
3,078
     
3,075
 
Paid in Capital
   
28,373
     
28,277
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
    (1,268 )     (1,253 )
Retained Earnings
   
186,759
     
173,853
 
Stockholders' Equity
   
286,467
     
273,571
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $
928,470
    $
626,715
 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

Page 1



SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET EARNINGS
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
September 29, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
   
September 29, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
 
                         
Net Sales
  $
274,445
    $
283,324
    $
463,887
    $
431,665
 
                                 
Costs and Expenses:
                               
Cost of Product Sold
   
242,488
     
249,098
     
405,380
     
376,580
 
Selling and Administrative
   
15,628
     
15,628
     
29,759
     
27,607
 
Plant Restructuring
   
4
     
-
     
90
     
-
 
Other Operating (Income) Loss
    (116 )     (1,278 )     (289 )     (1,966 )
Total Costs and Expenses
   
258,004
     
263,448
     
434,940
     
402,221
 
      Operating Income
   
16,441
     
19,876
     
28,947
     
29,444
 
Interest Expense
   
4,977
     
6,188
     
9,001
     
9,816
 
Earnings Before Income Taxes
   
11,464
     
13,688
     
19,946
     
19,628
 
                                 
Income Taxes
   
4,163
     
5,165
     
7,251
     
7,446
 
Net Earnings
  $
7,301
    $
8,523
    $
12,695
    $
12,182
 
                                 
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock
  $
4,551
    $
4,865
    $
7,911
    $
7,082
 
                                 
Basic Earnings per Common Share
  $
0.60
    $
0.65
    $
1.04
    $
0.99
 
                                 
Diluted Earnings per Common Share
  $
0.60
    $
0.65
    $
1.04
    $
0.99
 
                                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
         


Page 2



SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In Thousands)
 
             
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
September 29, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
Net Earnings
  $
12,695
    $
12,182
 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to
               
Net Cash Provided by Operations:
               
Depreciation & Amortization
   
10,796
     
11,229
 
Gain on the Sale of Assets
    (289 )     (1,966 )
Deferred Tax Benefit
    (4,525 )     (1,993 )
Changes in Working Capital (excluding effects of business combination):
               
Accounts Receivable
    (16,947 )     (27,586 )
Inventories
    (352,080 )     (318,685 )
Off-Season Reserve
   
79,582
     
101,517
 
Other Current Assets
    (1,549 )    
1,815
 
Income Taxes
   
3,499
      (1,804 )
Accounts Payable,  Accrued Expenses
               
and Other Liabilities
   
184,824
     
176,199
 
Net Cash Provided by Operations
    (83,994 )     (49,092 )
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment
    (20,157 )     (8,105 )
Cash Paid for Acquisition
   
-
      (22,288 )
Cash Received from Acquisition
   
-
     
952
 
Proceeds from the Sale of Assets
   
288
     
3,644
 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
    (19,869 )     (25,797 )
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
               
Payments on Notes Payable
   
-
      (40,936 )
Borrowing on Notes Payable
   
-
     
39,390
 
Long-Term Borrowing
   
214,315
     
146,093
 
Payments on Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
    (110,575 )     (69,079 )
Other
   
343
     
701
 
Dividends
    (12 )     (12 )
Net Cash  Provided by Financing Activities
   
104,071
     
76,157
 
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
208
     
1,268
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of the Period
   
8,552
     
6,046
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of the Period
  $
8,760
    $
7,314
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Page 3


SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
September 29, 2007

1.         Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Seneca Foods Corporation (the “Company”) as of September 29, 2007 and results of its operations and its cash flows for the interim periods presented.  All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.  The March 31, 2007 balance sheet was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements.
 
The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended September 29, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

In the six-months ended September 29, 2007, the Company sold product for cash, on a bill and hold basis of $51,810,000 of Green Giant finished goods inventory to General Mills Operations, Inc. (“GMOI”) as compared to $44,234,000 for the six-months ended September 30, 2006. Under the terms of the bill and hold agreement, title to the specified inventory transferred to GMOI.  The Company believes it has met the criteria required for bill and hold treatment.

The accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 1 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2007 Seneca Foods Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Other footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted.  These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company's 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
2.  
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), on April 1, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return that is required to be met before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 of $223,000 was recorded as an increase to Retained earnings. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of the date of adoption was $4,175,000.  The change in the FIN 48 liability in the first fiscal half of 2008 is not significant.

 
Included in the balance at adoption are $2,954,000 of tax positions that are highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing. Because of the impact of deferred tax accounting, other than interest and penalties, the disallowance of these positions would not impact the annual effective tax rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to the tax authority to an earlier period.

 
The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued on unrecognized tax benefits as well as interest received from favorable settlements within income tax expense. As of the date of adoption, the Company had $450,000 of interest and penalties accrued associated with unrecognized tax benefits.

 
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states.  The Company is   no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2004.

3.  
The seasonal nature of the Company's food processing business results in a timing difference between expenses (primarily overhead expenses) incurred and absorbed into product cost.  All Off-Season Reserve balances, which essentially represent a contra-inventory account, are zero at fiscal year end. Depending on the time of year, Off-Season Reserve is either the excess of absorbed expenses over incurred expenses to date or the excess of incurred expenses over absorbed expenses to date.  Other than at the end of the first and fourth fiscal quarter of each year, absorbed expenses exceed incurred expenses due to timing of production.

4.  
During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company entered into a Natural Gas Hedge in the form of a swap transaction where the Company purchased, on a forward basis, 50% of its requirements for natural gas during the June 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006 time frame at $7.00 per decatherm.  The Company realized a $429,000 loss on this hedge during the first half of 2007, and marked the remaining hedge to market resulting in a Net Unrealized Loss on this hedge of $38,000 which was recorded as an Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss on the Balance Sheet. No hedging transactions remain open as of September 29, 2007 and all unrealized losses recorded have been realized.

5.  
With the closure of a Washington facility in the fall of 2004, the Company’s labeling and warehousing requirements at its Oregon location were dramatically reduced.  During the quarter ended October 1, 2005, the Company announced the phase out of the labeling operation within the leased distribution facility in Oregon which resulted in a restructuring charge of $1,461,000.  During the quarter ended July 1, 2006, the Company recorded an additional restructuring charge of $290,000 which represented a planned further reduction in utilization of the facility.  The total restructuring charge of $1,751,000 consisted of a provision for future lease payments of $1,306,000, a cash severance charge of $368,000, and a non-cash impairment charge of $77,000.  The Company used a portion of the facility for warehousing and attempted to sublease the remaining unutilized portion of the facility until the February 2008 expiration of the lease.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2007, the Company moved out of the facility and recorded a $90,000 charge as a result, which is included under Plant Restructuring in the six months ended September 29, 2007 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings.

6.  
On November 20, 2006, the Company issued a mortgage payable to GE Commercial Finance Business Property Corporation for $23.8 million with an interest rate of 6.98% and a term of 15 years. The proceeds were used to pay down debt associated with the acquisition of Signature Fruit Company, LLC.  This mortgage is secured by a portion of property in Modesto, California acquired via the Signature Fruit Company, LLC acquisition.

7.  
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)”. This standard requires employers to recognize the underfunded or overfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through accumulated other comprehensive income, which is a component of stockholders’ equity. Additionally, SFAS No. 158 requires employers to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position, which is consistent with the Company’s present measurement date. The actual change recorded in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007 was a $1,253,000 after-tax decrease to accumulated other comprehensive income, which resulted in a reduction to stockholders’ equity. SFAS No. 158 did not change the amount of actuarially determined expense that is recorded in the consolidated statement of income. The new reporting requirements and related new footnote disclosure rules of SFAS No. 158 were effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006.

8.  
During the six-month period ended September 29, 2007, there were 7,750 shares or $95,000 of Participating Convertible Preferred Stock converted to Class A Common Stock and 3,834 shares of Class A Common issued for a Equity Compensation Plan.  During the six-month period ended September 30, 2006, there  were 738,985 shares or $9,797,000 of conversions of Participating Convertible Preferred Stock to Class A Common Stock.

9.  
For the three months ended September 29, 2007, comprehensive income totaled $7,308,000, including a $7,000 Net Unrealized Gain on Securities, which are purchased solely for the Company’s 401(k) match.  Comprehensive income equaled Net Earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2006.  For the six months ended September 29, 2007, comprehensive income totaled $12,680,000, including a $15,000 Net Unrealized Loss on Securities, which are purchased solely for the Company’s 401(k) match.  Comprehensive income equaled Net Earnings for the six months ended September 30, 2006.

10.  
The only changes in Stockholders’ Equity accounts for the six months period ended September 29, 2007, other than the Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income described above, is an increase of $12,695,000 for Net Earnings, an increase of $223,000 related to implementing FIN 48 as described above and a reduction of $12,000 for preferred cash dividends.


11.  
The net periodic benefit cost for pension plans consist of:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
September 29, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
   
September 29, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
 
                         
Service  Cost
  $
1,165
    $
1,021
    $
2,276
    $
2,080
 
Interest Cost
   
1,202
     
1,118
     
2,404
     
2,235
 
Expected Return on Plan Assets
    (1,654 )     (1,459 )     (3,308 )     (2,917 )
Amortization of Transition Asset
    (69 )     (69 )     (138 )     (138 )
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
  $
644
    $
611
    $
1,234
    $
1,260
 

No pension contributions are required during fiscal 2008.

12.  
The following table summarizes the restructuring and related asset impairment charges recorded and the accruals established:

         
Long-Lived
             
   
Severance
   
Asset Charges
   
Other Costs
   
Total
 
Total expected
                       
 restructuring charge
  $
1,248
    $
5,304
    $
3,758
    $
10,310
 
                                 
Balance March 31, 2007
  $
84
    $
267
    $
2,329
    $
2,680
 
First and second quarter charge
   
-
     
-
     
90
     
90
 
Cash payments
    (63 )     (17 )     (616 )     (696 )
Balance September 29, 2007
  $
21
    $
250
    $
1,803
    $
2,074
 
                                 
Total costs incurred
                               
  to date
  $
1,227
    $
5,054
    $
1,955
    $
8,236
 

The restructuring costs above relate to the phase out of the labeling operation of the leased distribution facility in Oregon, the closure of corn plants in Wisconsin and Washington and of a green bean plant in upstate New York plus the removal of canned meat production from a plant in Idaho.  The corn plant in Washington has been sold.  The restructuring is complete in the Idaho plant and the New York plant.  The Wisconsin plant is closed and is being operated as a warehouse.

The remaining severance costs are expected to be paid prior to February 29, 2008.  The other costs relate to outstanding lease payments which will be paid over the remaining lives of the corresponding lease terms, which are up to five years.

13.  
During the first half of fiscal 2008, the Company sold some unused fixed assets which resulted is a gain of $289,000.  During the first fiscal quarter of 2007, the Company sold a closed plant in Newark, New York and a receiving station in Pasco, Washington which resulted in gains of $282,000 and $406,000, respectively.  During the second fiscal quarter of 2007, the Company sold a closed plant in East Williamson, New York which resulted in a gain of $1,610,000 and a warehouse facility in New Plymouth, Idaho which resulted in a loss of $321,000.    These gains and losses are included in Other Operating (Income) Loss in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings.

14.  
In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FASB 157”). FASB 157 redefines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands the disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurement. FASB 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect that the adoption of FASB 157 will have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position; however, additional disclosures will be required under FASB 157.

15.  
In February 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“FASB 159”). FASB 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. FASB 159 does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value. FASB 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of FASB 159 on our consolidated financial statements.

16.  
Earnings per share (In thousands, except per share data):

 
 
Quarters and Year-to-date Periods Ended
 
Q U A R T E R
   
Y E A R T O D A T E
 
September 29, 2007 and 2006
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands, except share amounts)
 
Basic
                       
                         
Net Earnings
  $
7,301
    $
8,523
    $
12,695
    $
12,182
 
Deduct preferred stock dividends paid
   
6
     
790
     
12
     
796
 
                                 
Undistributed earnings
   
7,295
     
7,733
     
12,683
     
11,386
 
Earnings allocated to participating preferred
   
2,744
     
2,868
     
4,773
     
4,304
 
                                 
Earnings allocated to common shareholders
  $
4,551
    $
4,865
    $
7,910
    $
7,082
 
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
7,580
     
7,429
     
7,578
     
7,132
 
                                 
Basis earnings per common share
  $
0.60
    $
0.65
    $
1.04
    $
0.99
 
                                 
Diluted
                               
                                 
Earnings allocated to common shareholders
  $
4,551
    $
4,865
    $
7,910
    $
7,082
 
Add dividends on convertible preferred stock
   
5
     
5
     
10
     
10
 
                                 
Earnings applicable to common stock on a diluted basis
  $
4,556
    $
4,870
    $
7,920
    $
7,092
 
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
   
7,580
     
7,429
     
7,578
     
7,132
 
Additional shares added related to equity compensation plan
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Additional shares to be issued under full conversion of preferred stock
   
67
     
67
     
67
     
67
 
                                 
Total shares for diluted
   
7,647
     
7,496
     
7,645
     
7,199
 
                                 
Diluted Earnings per common share
  $
0.60
    $
0.65
    $
1.04
    $
0.99
 

17.  
On August 18, 2006, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the membership interest in Signature Fruit Company, LLC (“Signature”) from John Hancock Life Insurance Company and John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company. The rationale for the acquisition was twofold: (1) to broaden the Company’s product offerings into the canned fruit business; and (2) to take advantage of distribution efficiencies by combining vegetables and fruits on shipments since the customer base of the two companies is similar. The purchase price totaled $47.3 million plus the assumption of certain liabilities. This acquisition was financed with proceeds from a newly expanded $250.0 million revolving credit facility, and $25.0 million of the Company’s Participating Convertible Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock is convertible into the Company’s Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis subject to antidilution adjustments. The Preferred Stock was valued at $24.385 per share based on the market value of the Class A Common Stock during the 30 day average period prior to the acquisition.  A dividend of $784,000 was recorded based on the beneficial conversion of this Preferred Stock for the difference between the exercise price of $24.385 and the average price when the acquisition was announced.  The purchase price to acquire Signature was allocated based on the internally developed fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired and the independent valuation of property, plant, and equipment.  The purchase price of $47.3 million has been calculated as follows (in millions):

Cash
  $
20.0
 
Issuance of convertible preferred stock
   
25.0
 
Closing costs
   
2.3
 
Purchase Price
  $
47.3
 

The total purchase price of the transaction has been allocated as follows:
     
Current assets
  $
131.6
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
26.1
 
Other assets
   
2.3
 
Current liabilities
    (59.2 )
Long-term debt
    (45.5 )
Other non-current liabilities
    (8.0 )
Total
  $
47.3
 

The Company negotiated the sale of one of the plants and associated warehouses located in California that were acquired in the Signature Fruit acquisition.  During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007, the plant was sold which resulted in cash proceeds of $27.8 million.  There was no gain or loss recorded on this sale since the property was valued at the net proceeds as part of the purchase price allocation.  The proceeds were used to reduce debt under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Page 4



ITEM 2 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
September 29, 2007
 
Seneca Foods Corporation is primarily a vegetable and fruit processing company with manufacturing facilities located throughout the United States.  Its products are sold under the Libby’s®, Aunt Nellie’s Farm Kitchen®, Stokely’s®, READ®, and SenecaÒ labels as well as through the private label and industrial markets.  In addition, under an alliance with General Mills Operations, Inc. (GMOI), a successor to the Pillsbury Company and a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc., Seneca produces canned and frozen vegetables, which are sold by General Mills Operations, Inc. under the Green Giant® label.

The Company’s raw product is harvested mainly between June through November. The Company experienced favorable growing conditions last summer and early fall reflecting a combination of adequate heat units and moisture.  These beneficial growing conditions favorably impacted crop yields and plant recovery rates, and further resulted in favorable manufacturing variances.

On August 18, 2006, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the membership interest in Signature Fruit Company, LLC (“Signature”) from John Hancock Life Insurance Company and John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company. The rationale for the acquisition was twofold: (1) to broaden the Company’s product offerings into the canned fruit business; and (2) to take advantage of distribution efficiencies by combining vegetables and fruits on shipments since the customer base of the two companies is similar. The purchase price totaled $47.3 million plus the assumption of certain liabilities. This acquisition was financed with proceeds from a newly expanded $250.0 million revolving credit facility, and $25.0 million of the Company’s Participating Convertible Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock is convertible into the Company’s Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis subject to antidilution adjustments. The Preferred Stock was valued at $24.385 per share based on the market value of the Class A Common Stock during the 30 day average period prior to the acquisition.  A dividend of $784,000 was recorded based on the beneficial conversion of this Preferred Stock for the difference between the exercise price of $24.385 and the average price when the acquisition was announced.  The purchase price to acquire Signature was allocated based on the internally developed fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired and the independent valuation of property, plant, and equipment.  The purchase price of $47.3 million has been calculated as follows (in millions):

Cash
  $
20.0
 
Issuance of convertible preferred stock
   
25.0
 
Closing costs
   
2.3
 
Purchase Price
  $
47.3
 

The total purchase price of the transaction has been allocated as follows:
     
Current assets
  $
131.6
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
26.1
 
Other assets
   
2.3
 
Current liabilities
    (59.2 )
Long-term debt
    (45.5 )
Other non-current liabilities
    (8.0 )
Total
  $
47.3
 

The Company negotiated the sale of one of the plants and associated warehouses located in California that were acquired in the Signature Fruit acquisition.  During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007, the plant was sold which resulted in cash proceeds of $27.8 million.  There was no gain or loss recorded on this sale since the property was valued at the net proceeds as part of the purchase price allocation.  The proceeds were used to reduce debt under the Revolving Credit Facility.

During fiscal 2005, the Company implemented a restructuring program which principally involved the closure of three processing facilities, including a green bean plant in upstate New York and corn plants in Wisconsin and Washington. The rationalization of the Company’s productive capacity: (1) improved the Company’s overall cost structure and competitive position; (2) addressed the excess capacity situation arising from the recent acquisition of Chiquita Processed Foods and decline in GMOI volume requirements; and (3) mitigated the effect of inflationary pressures on the Company’s raw material inputs such as steel and fuel.

With the closure of a Washington facility in the fall of 2004, the Company’s labeling and warehousing requirements at its Oregon location were dramatically reduced.  During the quarter ended October 1, 2005, the Company announced the phase out of the labeling operation within the leased distribution facility in Oregon which resulted in a restructuring charge of $1,461,000.  During the quarter ended July 1, 2006, the Company recorded an additional restructuring charge of $290,000 which represented a planned further reduction in utilization of the facility.  The total restructuring charge of $1,751,000 consisted of a provision for future lease payments of $1,306,000, a cash severance charge of $368,000, and a non-cash impairment charge of $77,000.  The Company intends to use a portion of the facility for warehousing and will attempt to sublease the remaining unutilized portion of the facility until the February 2008 expiration of the lease.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2007, the Company moved out of the facility and recorded an $86,000 charge as a result, which is included under Plant Restructuring in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings.


Results of Operations:

Sales:

Second fiscal quarter results include Net Sales of $274.4 million, which represent a 3.1% decrease, or $8.9 million from the second fiscal quarter of fiscal 2007. This sales decrease reflects a reduction in sales of Fruit and Chips which amounted to approximately $4.1 million.  The primary reason for this sales reduction was due to a short fruit pack in the previous year (calendar 2006), resulting in the Company running out of certain fruit inventory items, which negatively impacted Food Service and U.S. Government sales.

Six Months Ended September 29, 2007 Net Sales were $463.9 million, which represent a 7.5% increase, or $32.3 million from the first half of fiscal 2007. This sales increase primarily reflects an increase in sales from the Signature Fruit acquisition which amounted to approximately $35.6 million.

The following table presents the sales changes by product category:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
September 29, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
   
September 29, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
 
Canned Vegetables
  $
147.7
    $
149.9
    $
278.9
    $
280.2
 
Green Giant Alliance
   
65.3
     
67.9
     
69.3
     
70.9
 
Frozen Vegetables
   
9.7
     
9.1
     
17.9
     
15.6
 
Fruit and Chip Products
   
47.5
     
51.6
     
90.7
     
56.8
 
Other
   
4.2
     
4.8
     
7.1
     
8.1
 
    $
274.4
    $
283.3
    $
463.9
    $
431.6
 


Page 5



Operating Income:

The following table presents components of Operating Income as a percentage of Net Sales:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
September 29, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
   
September 29, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
 
  Gross Margin
    11.7 %     12.1 %     12.5 %     12.7 %
                                 
  Selling
    3.5 %     3.2 %     3.8 %     3.8 %
  Administrative
    2.2 %     2.3 %     2.6 %     2.6 %
  Plant Restructuring
    0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %
  Other Operating Income
    0.0 %     -0.5 %     -0.1 %     -0.5 %
                                 
  Operating Income
    6.0 %     7.1 %     6.2 %     6.8 %
                                 
  Interest Expense
    1.8 %     2.2 %     1.9 %     2.3 %

For the three month period ended September 29, 2007, the gross margin decreased slightly from the prior year quarter of 12.1% to 11.7%.  Selling costs as a percentage of sales increased as the result of sales mix.

For the six month period ended September 29, 2007, the gross margin remained largely unchanged from the prior year quarter at 12.5%.  Selling costs and administrative as a percentage of sales also remained unchanged for this period as compared to same period in the prior year.

During the first half of fiscal 2008, the Company sold some unused fixed assets which resulted is a gain of $289,000.  During the first fiscal quarter of 2007, the Company sold a closed plant in Newark, New York and a receiving station in Pasco, Washington which resulted in gains of $282,000 and $406,000, respectively.  During the second fiscal quarter of 2007, the Company sold a closed plant in East Williamson, New York which resulted in a gain of $1,610,000 and a warehouse facility in New Plymouth, Idaho which resulted in a loss of $321,000.    These gains and losses are included in Other Operating (Income) Loss in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings.

For the six month period ended September 29, 2007, interest as a percentage of sales decreased from 2.3% to 1.9%.  Interest dollars decreased 8.3% from $9.8 million in the six month period ended September 30, 2006 to $9.0 million in the six month period ended September 29, 2007.  This was largely due to lower average borrowings in the current year period compared to the prior year.

Income Taxes:

The effective tax rate was 36.3% and 37.7% for the three month periods ended September 29, 2007 and September 30, 2006, respectively.  The 1.4% effective tax rate reduction is a largely a function of increased research and experimentation and manufacturers credits recognized as compared to the prior year.  The effective tax rate was 36.4% and 37.9% for the six month periods ended September 29, 2007 and September 30, 2006, respectively.

Earnings per Share:

Basic and diluted earnings per share were $.60 and $.65 for the three months ended September 29, 2007 and September 30, 2006, respectively.  Basic and diluted earnings per share were $1.04 and $.99 for the six months ended September 29, 2007 and September 30, 2006, respectively.  For details of the calculation of these amounts, refer to footnote 16 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources:
The financial condition of the Company is summarized in the following table and explanatory review (in thousands except ratios):

   
September
   
March
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
Working Capital:
                       
Balance
  $
437,677
    $
446,608
    $
334,455
    $
229,510
 
Change in Quarter
   
113,859
     
212,482
     
-
     
-
 
Long-Term Debt
   
314,167
     
344,498
     
210,395
     
142,586
 
Current Ratio
   
2.43
     
2.52
     
3.86
     
2.63
 


As shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Cash Used by Operating Activities was $84.0 million in the first half of fiscal 2008, compared to Cash Used by Operating Activities of $49.1 million in the first half of fiscal 2007.  The $34.9 million decrease in cash generation is primarily a result of the increase in inventory of $272.5 (net of the increase in the Off Season Reserve of $79.6 million) million in the first half of fiscal 2008 as compared to $217.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2007.

As compared to September 30, 2006, Inventory increased $42.7 million. The Inventory increase primarily reflects a $52.4 million increase (net of the Off Season Reserve) in Finished Goods, a $20.8 million decrease in Work in Process and $11.1 million increase in Raw Materials.  The Finished Goods increase reflects a larger harvest this year and a reclassification of certain frozen vegetables from Work in Process of $20.0 million and the Signature acquisition discussed above.  The Work in Process decrease is primarily due to the frozen vegetables reclassification discussed above.  The Raw Materials increase is primarily due to Signature of $8.1 million partially offset by a reduction in Cans and Ends of $2.9 million.

Cash Used in Investing Activities was $19.9 million in the first half of fiscal 2008 compared to $25.8 million in the first half of fiscal 2007.  The first half of fiscal 2008 includes $22.3 million paid for the Signature acquisition.  Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment were $20.2 million in fiscal 2008 as compared to $8.1 million in fiscal 2007.  In fiscal 2008, a warehouse in Gillett, Wisconsin was the most significant capital project with $4.0 million spent as of the end of the second fiscal quarter.

Cash Provided by Financing Activities was $104.1 million in the first half of fiscal 2008, principally consisting of borrowing on the revolving credit facility of $214.3 million and the repayment of $110.6 million of Long-Term Debt.

In connection with the August 18, 2006 acquisition of Signature Fruit Company, LLC, the Company expanded its revolving credit facility (“Revolver”) from $100 million to $250 million with a five-year term to finance its seasonal working capital requirements.  As of September 29, 2007, the outstanding balance of the Revolver was $165.3 million.  We believe that cash flows from operations and availability under our Revolver will provide adequate funds for our working capital needs, planned capital expenditures, and debt service obligations for at least the next 12 months.

On November 20, 2006, the Company issued a mortgage payable to GE Commercial Finance Business Property Corporation for $23.8 million with an interest rate of 6.98% and a term of 15 years. The proceeds were used to pay down debt associated with the acquisition of Signature Fruit Company, LLC.  This mortgage is secured by a portion of property in Modesto, California acquired via the Signature Fruit Company, LLC acquisition.

The Company’s credit facilities contain various financial covenants.  At September 29, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all such financial covenants.

In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FASB 157”). FASB 157 redefines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands the disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurement. FASB 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect that the adoption of FASB 157 will have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position; however, additional disclosures will be required under FASB 157.

In February 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“FASB 159”). FASB 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. FASB 159 does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value. FASB 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of FASB 159 on our consolidated financial statements.

Seasonality

The Company's revenues typically have been higher in the second and third fiscal quarters, primarily because the Company sells, on a bill and hold basis, Green Giant canned and frozen vegetables to General Mills Operations, Inc. at the end of each pack cycle.  The two largest commodities are peas and corn, which are primarily sold in the second and third fiscal quarters, respectively.  See the Critical Accounting Policies section below for further details.  In addition, the Company’s non-Green Giant sales have exhibited seasonality with the third fiscal quarter generating the highest sales.  The third fiscal quarter reflects increased sales of the Company’s products during the holiday period.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about management's beliefs or expectations, are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (PSLRA) of 1995.  The Company wishes to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of the PSLRA by cautioning that numerous important factors which involve risks and uncertainties in the future could affect the Company's actual results and could cause its actual consolidated results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by, or on behalf of, the Company.  These factors include, among others: general economic and business conditions; cost and availability of commodities and other raw materials such as vegetables, steel and packaging materials; transportation costs; climate and weather affecting growing conditions and crop yields; leverage and ability to service and reduce the Company's debt; foreign currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations; effectiveness of marketing and trade promotion programs; changing consumer preferences; competition; product liability claims; the loss of significant customers or a substantial reduction in orders from these customers; changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, U.S., foreign and local governmental regulations, including environmental regulations; and other factors discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as the date hereof.  The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

In the six-months ended September 29, 2007, the Company sold product for cash, on a bill and hold basis of $51,810,000 of Green Giant finished goods inventory to General Mills Operations, Inc. (“GMOI”) versus $44,234,000 for the six-months ended September 30, 2006.  Under the terms of the bill and hold agreement, title to the specified inventory transferred to GMOI.  The Company believes it has met the criteria required for bill and hold treatment.

The seasonal nature of the Company's Food Processing business results in a timing difference between expenses (primarily overhead expenses) incurred and absorbed into product cost.  All Off-Season Reserve balances, which essentially represent a contra-inventory account, are zero at fiscal year end. Depending on the time of year, Off-Season Reserve is either the excess of absorbed expenses over incurred expenses to date or the excess of incurred expenses over absorbed expenses to date.  Other than at the end of the first and fourth fiscal quarter of each year, absorbed expenses exceed incurred expenses due to timing of production.

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 our products to consumers, amounts paid to obtain favorable display positions in retailers’ 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 us. 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.

ITEM 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is exposed to various market risk factors, including changes in general economic conditions, competition and raw material pricing and availability.  In addition, the Company is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates, primarily related to its revolving credit facility.  To manage interest rate risk, the Company uses both fixed and variable interest rate debt.  During fiscal 2007, the Company entered into a natural gas hedge for 50% of its requirements during the production season from June 1 to December 31, 2006.  The Company has not entered into a similar hedge arrangement during fiscal 2008.  There have been no other material changes to the Company’s exposure to market risk since March 31, 2007.

Page 6




ITEM 4 Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains a system of internal and disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. The Company’s Board of Directors, operating through its Audit Committee, which is composed entirely of independent outside directors, provides oversight to the financial reporting process.

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Our disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in our reports that we file with the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed and reported on a timely basis. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 29, 2007, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that our controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in this report.

There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during its most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect its internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act.


Page 7


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.                       Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A.                       Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended March 31, 2007.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds


Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
Average Price Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) or Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
Class A Common
Class B Common
Class A Common
Class B Common
7/01/07 – 7/31/07
-
-
-
-
N/A
N/A
8/01/07 – 8/31/07
9,700
-
$26.91
-
N/A
N/A
9/01/07 – 9/30/07
-
-
-
-
N/A
N/A
Total
9,700
-
$26.91
-
N/A
N/A
__________
(1) These purchases were made in open market transactions by the trustees under the Seneca Foods Corporation Employees' Savings Plan 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to provide employee matching contributions under the plan.

Item 3.                          Defaults on Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.                          Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

Item 5.                          Other Information

None.

Item 6.                          Exhibits


31.1 Certification of Kraig H. Kayser pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
31.2 Certification of Roland E. Breunig 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)

Page 8


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.





Seneca Foods Corporation
      (Company)



/s/Kraig H. Kayser                                           
November 7, 2007
Kraig H. Kayser
President and
Chief Executive Officer


/s/Roland E. Breunig
November 7, 2007
Roland E. Breunig
Chief Financial Officer



Page 9