By Benjamin Horney (October 14, 2014, 5:33 PM EDT) -- Texas-based Sysco Corp. has opened discussions with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to determine what the food distributor can do to ensure its $3.5 billion purchase of rival US Foods Inc. does not get blocked by the agency, the New York Post reported on Tuesday. According to the report, the FTC plans to make a decision on whether or not to allow the deal to go through by Halloween. The merger, which has drawn objections from the American Antitrust Institute on grounds that the combination will restrict choices and raise prices for food outlets such as schools, hospitals and restaurants, is intended to create a food distribution powerhouse with combined annual sales of $65 billion, controlling a quarter or more of the North American market. Deborah Feinstein, director of competition at the FTC, plans to file a lawsuit against the deal unless certain conditions are met, according to the report....