Exhibit 12 FLEMING COMPANIES, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES FISCAL YEAR ENDED THE LAST SATURDAY IN DECEMBER 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) Earnings: Pre-tax income (loss) $(598,202) $ 82,685 $ 54,573 $ 85,892 $ 112,337 Fixed charges, net 198,336 200,266 204,527 212,173 148,125 Total earnings (loss) $(399,866) $ 282,951 $ 259,100 $ 298,065 $ 260,462 Fixed charges: Interest expense $ 161,581 $ 162,506 $ 163,466 $ 175,390 $ 120,071 Portion of rental charges deemed to be interest 36,328 37,393 40,699 36,456 27,746 Capitalized interest and debt issuance cost amortization 604 1,186 104 708 364 Total fixed charges $ 198,513 $ 201,085 $ 204,269 $ 212,554 $ 148,181 Deficiency $ 598,379 Ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges (2.01) 1.41 1.27 1.40 1.76 "Earnings" consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed charges excluding capitalized interest. Capitalized interest amortized during the respective periods is added back to earnings. "Fixed charges, net" consist of interest expense, an estimated amount of rental expense which is deemed to be representative of the interest factor and amortization of capitalized interest and debt issuance cost. 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.