Make it Progresso or Make it Yourself. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Progresso became known for its remarkable soups, with the classic slogan, “Make it Progresso or Make it Yourself.”

Progresso emerged from the merging of two prominent Italian importing companies in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1925, Vincent Taormina, who had traveled east to start a tomato importing business, and Giuseppe Uddo merged their companies. Vincent's family owned the "Taormina Brothers Grocery" of New Orleans, Louisiana.

To help get the word out about all of its changes, Progresso enlisted actor John Lithgow, best known for his witty personality and recognizable voice.

Today, Progresso makes canned soups as well as broths, soup mixes and breadcrumbs. Helper was launched in the early 1970s as Hamburger Helper for consumers looking stretch a portion of meat into a larger meal amid surging beef prices.

Progresso soups' delicious flavors comes from high quality ingredients and are produced with zero grams of trans-fat and no partially hydrogenated oil or high fructose corn syrup. While some MSG occurs naturally in ingredients like tomato extract, yeast extract or soy sauce, we do not add any additional MSG.

The making of a great slogan: 5 slogans with staying power

• Just do it.
• Where's the beef?
• Don't leave home without it.
• Melt in your mouth, not in your hand.
• Diamonds are forever.

Progresso began creating soups as a way to keep the factory busy during the winter months when vegetables were out of season. Workers followed original family recipes that were scribbled on the walls of the building. Before long, Progresso had introduced America to minestrone, lentil, split pea and other soups.

New Orleans Progresso Foods is best known today for its line of canned and packaged soups and breadcrumbs. Now owned by General Mills, the company was founded in New Orleans by Sicilian immigrant Giuseppe Uddo. As a young boy in Sicily, he began selling olives and cheeses from a horse-drawn cart.

The Soup Nazi is also the nickname of the eponymous character, Yev Kassem, played by Larry Thomas. The term "Nazi" is used as an exaggeration of the strict regimentation he demands of his patrons (cf.

Progresso, which General Mills acquired in 2001 when it bought Pillsbury, offers canned soups, broths and chili, while Helper sells boxed pasta meals.

No, eating only Progresso soups is not a viable diet. Progresso soups are a convenient and relatively healthy option, but they are not a complete source of nutrition. They are often high in sodium and low in fiber, and they may not provide you with all the vitamins and minerals you need.

Canned foods typically get a bad rap for being too processed or high in sodium, but canned soups can be a nutritious source of vegetables and lean protein. While a can of soup doesn't scream "satisfying meal," with a few key additions, you can hack a can of soup into a meal that hits the spot.