Tomato Soup

If ever there was a time to clip coupons, take advantage of sales and do some sharp comparison shopping, that time is now. Local supermarket food prices rose 4.5 percent during the last month and are 10.9 percent higher than a year ago, according to The Inquirer's April survey of the major chains in the Philadelphia area. A similarly substantial increase was recorded in March, when prices were up 4.3 percent for the month, 10 percent for the year. This month, the cost of the 35 representative foods on our shopping list came to $51.85.

Campbell Soup has launched a line of condensed soups that contain one-third less salt than its regular soups. The sodium content of the new soups, which are called "Special Request," will fall between the levels of salt in Campbell's regular soups and in its low-sodium soups for people on salt-restricted diets. Over the years, Campbell's has been the target of protests by consumer groups who say its soups are too high in sodium. A company spokesman, David C. Hackney, said the new soups, which have been under development for 10 years, should answer those concerns.