On the Ground Measuring Inflation

Ever wondered exactly how the government measures inflation via individual products? Planet Money ran a segment explaining the process in 2010 that was rebroadcast last year. I caught “The Price Of Lettuce In Brooklyn” sometime early last year. I was absolutely amazed to learn that the government actually sends surveyors into the field to sample prices from various stores on very specific goods. The surveyors have to exercise particular care to measure prices for the exact same goods over time. That basket of goods is then aggregated across products and locations into what we know as the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

I highly recommend this 15-minute podcast for anyone who wants an introduction to inflation monitoring at the ground level.

Source: NPR Planet Money