Exhibit 12 Fleming Companies, Inc. Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 28 Weeks Ended July 10, July 11, (In thousands of dollars) 1999 1998 Earnings: Pretax income (loss) $(31,159) $ 55,065 Fixed charges, net 106,661 106,609 -------- -------- Total earnings $ 75,502 $161,674 Fixed charges: Interest expense $ 90,253 $ 87,063 Portion of rental charges deemed to be interest 16,163 19,316 Capitalized interest 178 - -------- -------- Total fixed charges $106,594 $106,379 -------- -------- Deficiency $31,092 ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges .71 1.52 ======== ======== "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. Under the company's long-term debt agreements, "earnings" and "fixed charges" are defined differently and amounts and ratios differ accordingly.