True story: When I was working for am environmental company, in a former life, a bunch of us were sent to Texas. We flew into the Odessa-Midland Airport and one of the restaurants we ate at was this touristy place that advertized a 72 oz steak, and if you could eat all that and all the trimmings, it's free. I opted for this platter thingy that had a variety of delicasies I never had before. They had: frogs legs, buffalo, rattlesnake, RABBIT, and Rocky Mountain Oysters. Thankfully, they were all breaded and deep fat fried! Bad Linda.... baaaaaaad! I'm sure you really meant "erroneous zone"!

The type you got at the store is Zingiber officianale and is the best edible type commonly found. Yes it will grow. It makes a smallish plant, 3-4 ft tall, with basal small pinecone inflos. Root hardy in zone 8

Central California here. Raley's (Nob Hill and Bel Air in other cities) - full service regional chain with high quality meats and produce with a nod to organics and health foods. The prices are fair but not cheap. Safeway - close to me but I don't shop there often. I will drop in if it's the easiest store in my path and I need a few things. Prices tend to be high for general shopping. They do carry a few things I haven't seen other places. Walmart - they opened a small store close to me. I shop there some because of convenience. Selection overall is limited unless you want processed frozen foods and they have LOTS of that. I don't even walk down the frozen aisles. I rarely buy meat there. The prices aren't any better than anyplace else. O'Brien's - high end local small chain. If I want it and it's unusual I can usually find it there. They have an amazing cheese counter and a good wine department and meat counter. The best store is way out of my way for normal shopping and the one close to me lacks the cheese counter and specialties. Target - they now sell groceries and the store is a mere two blocks from the house so I do buy some things there. Most of the grocery stock is frozen and packaged goods, much like Walmart. The prices are quite reasonable. The meats I have purchased there have been good. I make an effort to buy some fresh produce so they will keep stocking it. It's a very basic selection. Trader Joe's - not close to me and not one of the bigger stores. They have things other places do not that I like to buy. It is also an 8 mile round trip by bicycle so I can shop and get in my daily bike ride as well. I am there once a week perhaps. Savemart - a local chain that has several stores around town and in nearby towns. I rarely shop there as none are in my neighborhood nor do they have anything I can't get elsewhere. Sunflower Market - a regional chain new to California. They are not a normal full service store and there are lots of things I can't get there. They focus on organic food and "natural" meats. So I can get wild caught fish there and meats that aren't injected with salt solution and organic produce. The prices are good and they are close to home. Produce is very nice. Greens - a newish and small gourmet store/deli with a nice selection of local specialities. Good cheeses. Not close, though. Food Maxx - a bag it yourself store I never use so I can't comment. Winco - another bag it yourself store. If I am stocking up this is a good place to do it. Produce selection is very good. Prices are the cheapest for doing a big general stock up shopping trip. Fresh & Easy - I have friends who like it but I have never been there. Costco - my first choice for meats. I have let my membership lapse as I now live alone. There are numerous outlet stores and dollar stores that sell groceries. Sometimes I will drop in. Selection is unpredictable and close to expiration date as a rule. Cost Plus - out of my way but a great source for gourmet packaged goods and wine. There are numerous small ethnic stores - Asian, Greek, Fijian, Indian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Eastern European and probably a few others I haven't seen. The Greek market is two blocks from me so I go there often. Lovely feta selection. And I really like the owner. He thinks my cannolis are great. And there are the stores that cater to restaurants but also sell to the public. I go in those now and then for certain things. I occasionally go to the farmer's market but I do it for a morning outing that includes live music and perhaps a pastry after a bike ride and maybe a chance to run into friends. The prices tend to be high but not always. I saw artichokes for 3 bucks a piece at the market. They were 99 cents at TJ's. But the beets were lovely and the greens (my favorite part) were crisp and fresh. Two bucks a bunch. A tiny bunch of organic chard was 3 bucks. I usually buy honey and raw almonds at the farmer's market when I need those things. Sciabica olive oil has a stand at one of the farmer's markets. No bargains, though. :) If I plan to do any canning, salsa and such, I will go to the farm stands out in the country. I have a favorite and I buy cases of whatever I want at a very good price. I think that about covers it for my town. I left out Kmart. I don't shop there ever. Eileen

With demonstrated smarts like that, showing such a wealth of (stealth and) experience ... ... I have a strong suspicion that Earl and Leroy have gotta be ... ... seniors! (Or close to it). (Did they happen to work for a New York bank, in an earlier life, maybe, do ya figger?). ole joyfuelled