EXHIBIT 99.1

FLEMING RECEIVES APPROVAL OF FIRST DAY ORDERS

         o        COURT APPROVAL SUPPORTS FLEMING'S VENDORS, CUSTOMERS AND
                  ASSOCIATES

         o        FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL STABILITY ENHANCED GOING FORWARD

DALLAS, April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Fleming Companies, Inc. (OTC Pink Sheets: FLMIQ)
announced today that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware approved
key first day motions, which are intended to support the company's vendors,
customers, associates and other stakeholders.

Peter Willmott, Fleming's Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, said,
"Today marks a positive step forward in Fleming's reorganization. The approval
of our first day motions provides our stakeholders with needed financial clarity
and permits us to conduct business in the ordinary course. The court's approval
of these motions is key to our ability to better serve customers, pay trade
vendors and continue health and welfare benefits for our associates."

Fleming's financial and operational stability going forward were enhanced
through the granting of the following motions:

         o        approval for an interim financing commitment of $50 million as
                  a bridge to a permanent $150 million debtor-in-possession
                  (DIP) financing package for use by the company to continue
                  operations and to purchase goods and services from vendors;

         o        approval for the use of Fleming's cash collateral on an
                  interim basis;

         o        approval of administrative expense status for goods ordered
                  before the bankruptcy filing but shipped after the filing;

         o        interim approval of an order prohibiting claimants from
                  prosecuting claims under the Perishable Agricultural
                  Commodities Act and the Packers and Stockyard Act, pending
                  further hearing on April 21, 2003;

         o        continuation of customer programs and practices in the
                  ordinary course of business, including the company's various
                  customer rebate and incentive programs, vendor discounts and
                  vendor ad funds programs;

         o        payment of pre-petition claims related to shipping and
                  warehousing charges in the ordinary course;

         o        payment of pre-petition and post-petition obligations for
                  current associates, including wages, salaries, commissions,
                  business expenses; medical, dental, vision, COBRA, long-term
                  disability and life insurance benefits; dues and health and
                  welfare benefits paid on behalf of union associates.

         o        The court set hearings to consider other relief, including a
                  trade lien and critical vendor relief on April 10, and
                  establishing a procedures for reclamation claimants on April
                  21.

The case has been assigned to the Honorable Judge Mary F. Walrath under case
number 03-10945 (MFW) (Jointly Administered).

"Even at this early stage in our reorganization process, we are making important
progress including moving forward on our permanent DIP financing package and
vendor support program. Once in place, and with the protection of the court
process, we will give our full attention to developing a plan of reorganization
that will enable us to emerge from Chapter 11 a stronger company," Mr. Willmott
said.

About Fleming

Fleming is a leading supplier of consumer package goods to retailers of all
sizes and formats in the United States. Fleming serves a wide range of retail
locations across the country, including supermarkets, convenience stores,
discount stores, concessions, limited assortment, drug, supercenters, specialty,
casinos, gift shops, military commissaries and exchanges and more. To learn more
about Fleming, visit our Web site at http://www.fleming.com .

Forward-Looking Statement

This document contains forward-looking statements regarding future events. These
forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those stated in this release, including
without limitation: the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern;
the ability of the Company to operate pursuant to the terms of the DIP facility;
court approval of the Company's first day papers and other motions prosecuted by
it from time to time; the ability of the Company to develop, prosecute, confirm
and consummate one or more plans of reorganization with respect to the Chapter
11 cases; risks associated with third parties seeking and obtaining court
approval to terminate or shorten the exclusivity period for the Company to
propose and confirm one or more plans of reorganization, for the appointment of
a Chapter 11 trustee or to convert the cases to Chapter 7 cases; the ability of
the Company to obtain trade credit, and shipments and terms with vendors and
service providers for current orders; the Company's ability to maintain
contracts that are critical to its operations; potential adverse developments
with respect to the Company's liquidity or results of operations; the ability to
fund and execute its business plan; the ability to attract, retain and
compensate key executives and associates; the ability of the Company to attract
and retain customers; changes in general economic conditions; and, the ability
to successfully sell the Company's retail operations. Additional information
about these and other factors is contained in Fleming's reports and filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date made and Fleming undertakes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after
the date of this release.

SOURCE Fleming