Exhibit 12 Fleming Companies, Inc. Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 28 Weeks Ended July 11, July 12, (In thousands of dollars) 1998 1997 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings: Pretax income $ 55,065 $ 38,467 Fixed charges, net 107,995 105,720 -------- -------- Total earnings $163,060 $144,187 ======== ======== Fixed charges: Interest expense $ 87,063 $ 85,045 Portion of rental charges deemed to be interest 20,702 20,477 Capitalized interest - - -------- -------- Total fixed charges $107,765 $105,522 ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.51 1.37 "Earnings" consists of income before income taxes and fixed charges excluding capitalized interest. Capitalized interest amortized during the respective periods is added back to earnings. "Fixed charges, net" consists of interest expense, an estimated amount of rental expense which is deemed to be representative of the interest factor and amortization of capitalized interest. The pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges is omitted as it is not applicable.