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
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.