Scoping to food CPI to simplify the conversation, provided a link to the actual raw data, e.g. prices & relative weights over time (do you have such a link?), how do I sift through it to answer elementary questions about the cost trajectory of the daily caloric intake, with geographic and socioeconomic breakdown.

On top of my head:

* basic breakdown: grains, meat, veggies

* processed vs. unprocessed

* grocery sourced vs. eating out, largely fast food

* sourcing, binned by log distance travelled

* scenarios: Med diet? carnivore? vegetarian?

On reflection, the core objection is that there is a subjective hidden parameter: the relative weights of different components. See e.g. https://www.bls.gov/opub/hom/cpi/calculation.htm#item-replac... I'd rather use my own weights.