EXHIBIT 99.1

FLEMING TO REFINANCE REVOLVING DEBT WITH NEW 10-YEAR NOTES OFFERING

               Business Editors

               DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2001--Fleming Companies, Inc.
(NYSE:FLM) today announced that it plans to issue $250 million of new 10-year
senior subordinated notes in a private placement to refinance existing bank
revolver borrowings.

               The new senior subordinated notes are being issued at a time when
Fleming has experienced growth in its business. Fleming's short-term borrowings
have increased as a result of new customer growth, recent acquisitions in the
convenience-store distribution sector of its business, and acquisitions that
have grown distribution center and retail volume in the company's western and
southwestern operations. Proceeds from the new notes will be used to repay bank
revolver borrowings.

               The new notes will not be registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent
registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

               In connection with the notes issuance, Fleming has commenced the
solicitation of consents from holders of its 10-1/2 percent senior subordinated
notes due 2004 and 10-5/8 percent senior subordinated notes due 2007 to amend
certain provisions of the indentures governing those securities.

               Safe Harbor Statement: This release includes forward-looking
statements that depend on future events for their accuracy or rely upon
projections and assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate. These
forward-looking statements and the company's business and prospects are subject
to a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially,
including: the ability to obtain capital or obtain it on acceptable terms;
adverse effects of the changing industry environment and increased competition;
and negative effects of the company's substantial indebtedness and the
limitations imposed by restrictive covenants contained in the company's debt
instruments. These and other risk factors are described in the company's
Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including but not limited to the
10-K Report for the 2000 fiscal year. The company undertakes no obligation to
update forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information
obtained after the date hereof.

               --30--ma/da*

          CONTACT:           Fleming, Dallas
                             Media:
                             Shane Boyd, 972/906-8824
                             or
                             Randy Hatcher, 972/906-8823

          or
                             Investors-Equity:
                             Meredith Anderson, 972/906-8592
                             or
                             Investors-Debt:
                             Matt Hildreth, 972/906-8126

          KEYWORD:           TEXAS

          INDUSTRY KEYWORD:  FOODS/BEVERAGES RETAIL SUPERMARKETS

          SOURCE:            Fleming