Exhibit 12.1 NASH FINCH COMPANY Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the twelve weeks ended March 28, 1998 and March 22, 1997 and for the five years ended January 3, 1998 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges Twelve weeks ended Fiscal Year Ended ---------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- March 28, March 22, January 3, December 28, December 30, December 31, January 1, Earnings: 1998 1997 1998 1996 1995 1994 1994 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Earnings before Income Tax and Extraordinary Charge $ 4,493 $ 5,259 $ (234) $ 33,667 $ 28,595 $ 25,810 $ 26,678 Fixed Charges Interest Expense $ 6,860 $ 7,321 $ 32,845 $ 14,894 $ 10,793 $ 11,384 $ 10,114 Interest Portion of Rent Expense $ 2,855 $ 2,562 $ 13,151 $ 10,311 $ 8,395 $ 8,761 $ 8,380 Total Fixed Charges $ 9,715 $ 9,883 $ 45,996 $ 25,205 $ 19,188 $ 20,145 $ 18,494 Earnings Available for Fixed Charges $ 14,208 $ 15,142 $ 45,762 $ 58,872 $ 47,783 $ 45,955 $ 45,172 Ratio of Earnings to fixed charges 1.46 1.53 1.00 2.34 2.49 2.28 2.44 Page 1