Jul 22, 2005 9:07 AM, from staff and wire reports

Net earnings for national food distributor Nash Finch Co were $9.7 million for the second quarter ended June 18, 2005, compared with a net loss of $15.6 million for the second quarter of 2004. Total sales for second quarter 2005 were $1.085 billion, versus $906.4 million in the prior-year period. This reflects the company’s acquisition from Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc of wholesale food distribution divisions in Lima OH and Westville IN.

For the first 24 weeks of 2005, Nash Finch’s net earnings were $16.7 million, in contrast to a net loss of $10.9 million for the same period a year ago. Total sales for the first 24 weeks of 2005 were $1.967 billion, compared with $1.786 billion in the prior-year period.