EXHIBIT 99.1


                   FLEMING FILES VOLUNTARY CHAPTER 11 PETITION

                  All Facilities Open and Conducting Business;
              Company Committed to Protecting Customers and Vendors

                Reorganization Proceeding Will Enable Company to
                  Better Realign Cost Structure and Reduce Debt

DALLAS, TEXAS, APRIL 1/PR Newswire - First Call/- Fleming Companies (NYSE: FLM)
today announced and its operating subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions
for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The filings
were made this morning in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware.
Fleming intends to use the Chapter 11 process to restructure its business
operations and finances. The purpose of the Chapter 11 filing is to allow the
company to establish an improved capital and cost structure, and position itself
for long-term success upon emergence from Chapter 11.

           Fleming is open and conducting business at all of its facilities. The
company is negotiating with its lenders on the terms of debtor-in-possession
financing and expects to announce further progress shortly. Additionally, the
company said that it continues to receive supplies and service its customers.

           "Fleming remains focused on serving its customers and expects to file
motions with the bankruptcy court to establish a critical vendor program and to
enable the company to pay all of its associates on time and in the usual
manner," said Peter Willmott, Fleming's Interim President and Chief Executive
Officer. "After a thorough analysis of Fleming's condition, the Board of
Directors and senior management concluded that today's court filings were both
prudent and necessary.

           "In January 2003, Kmart ended a major supply agreement with the
company. Against this backdrop, it became clear that filing for Chapter 11 was
the only choice that would allow us to continue operating as a going concern,
with renewed trade credit support, while negotiating with our creditors toward
an adjustment in our debt level that would be more consistent with our
operations, assets and current business model.

         "From an operational standpoint," Mr. Willmott continued, "we are
supplying customers from existing and new inventory and continue to work closely
with vendors to coordinate product flow. We applaud the dedication of our
associates in continuing to move our customer service forward."



         In conjunction with today's court proceedings, Fleming expects to file
a variety of "first day motions" to support its associates, customers and
vendors. In addition to the motions cited above, the company is also seeking
court approvals for continuation of payments for employee health and other
benefits; cash management programs; and for legal, financial, and other
professionals to support the company's reorganization. In accordance with
applicable law and court orders, vendors who provided goods or services to
Fleming or its subsidiaries before today's filing may have pre-petition claims,
which will be frozen pending court authorization of payment or consummation of a
plan of reorganization.

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 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 status of the company and its
operating subsidiaries as debtors in possession under bankruptcy proceedings;
the ability of the company to finalize the terms of its proposed
debtor-in-possession financing package; changes in general economic conditions;
adverse effects of the changing industry and increased competition; sales
declines and/or loss of customers; unanticipated problems with product
procurement; exposure to litigation and other contingent losses; the inability
to integrate acquired companies and to achieve operating improvements at those
companies; the ability to successfully sell our retail operations; successful
execution of the operational realignment and cost reduction plan; increases in
labor costs and disruptions in labor relations with union bargaining units
representing Fleming's employees; and the negative effects of Fleming's
substantial indebtedness and the limitations imposed by restrictive covenants
contained in Fleming's debt instruments. Additional information about these
factors is contained in Fleming's reports and filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including its 2001 Form 10-K. 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.

Contacts:

(Media) Shane Boyd 972.906.2125
(Investors-Equity) Mark Shapiro 972.906.8109
(Investors-Debt) Clint Bryant 972.906.8142

Source Fleming