EXHIBIT 23




INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in:

         (i)      Registration Statement No. 2-98602 (1985 Stock Option Plan) on
                  Form S-8;

         (ii)     Registration Statement No. 33-36586 (1990 Fleming Stock Option
                  Plan) on Form S-8;

         (iii)    Registration Statement (1990 Stock Incentive Plan) on Form
                  S-8;

         (iv)     Registration Statement No. 33-56241 (Dividend Reinvestment and
                  Stock Purchase Plan) on Form S-3;

         (v)      Registration Statement No. 333-11317 (1996 Stock Incentive
                  Plan) on Form S-8;

         (vi)     Registration Statement No. 333-28219 (Associate Stock Purchase
                  Plan) on Form S-8;

         (vii)    Registration Statement No. 333-80445 (1999 Stock Incentive
                  Plan) on Form S-8;

         (viii)   Registration Statement No. 333-89375 (Consolidated Savings
                  Plus and Stock Ownership Plan) on Form S-8;

         (ix)     Registration Statement No. 333-40670 (2000 Stock Incentive
                  Plan) on Form S-8;

         (x)      Registration Statement No. 333-40660 (Dividend Reinvestment
                  and Stock Purchase Plan) on Form S-3;

         (xi)     Registration Statement No. 333-76480 (Senior Subordinated
                  Notes) on Form S-4 (this registration statement has not been
                  declared effective); and

         (xii)    Registration Statement No. 333-60178 (Convertible Notes) on
                  Form S-3

of our report dated February 13, 2002, appearing in this Annual Report on Form
10-K of Fleming Companies, Inc. for the year ended December 29, 2001.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Dallas, Texas
March 5, 2002