EXHIBIT 12 FLEMING COMPANIES, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 40 WEEKS ENDED ---------------------- OCTOBER 4, OCTOBER 5, 1997 1996 ---------- ---------- (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) Earnings: Pretax income........................................................................... $ 56,201 $ 33,464 Fixed charges, net...................................................................... 153,981 159,184 ---------- ---------- Total earnings........................................................................ $ 210,182 $ 192,648 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Fixed charges: Interest expense........................................................................ $ 124,129 $ 125,045 Portion of rental charges deemed to be interest......................................... 29,570 33,861 Capitalized interest.................................................................... -- 103 ---------- ---------- Total fixed charges................................................................... $ 153,699 $ 159,009 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges........................................................ 1.37 1.21 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- "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.