The worst of the accidents was a 20-vehicle pile-up on Sunday that killed a supermarket executive and injured several other people.

One supermarket executive said low-fat products could account for 2,000 new items over the next several years.

The letter asked the supermarket executives to give consideration to what it called "a clever idea."

Saying that they wanted to minimize damage to current workers, supermarket executives pushed for a lower tier of wages and benefits for future employees.

Other supermarket executives say that they can go toe-to-toe with Wal-Mart.

Mr. Cullen, a supermarket executive, replied that he had been expecting the call; he would be right there.

The question is whether the Government's vaunted management techniques, overseen by a leading supermarket executive, are curing or hurting the public.

But privately supermarket executives say that the yen's rise is merely an excuse to have a sale for competitive purposes.

Meanwhile, media portray urban areas as poor and dependent, contributing to supermarket executives' skepticism.

But Mr. Kennedy said it was the environmental cause that had resonated with the supermarket executives.