The basket of goods doesn't look random, and I wonder if it was chosen specifically and wrongly to make that point.

What would comparing random food prices prove? There is literally no benefit to comparing the price of let’s say dragonfruit when the average American doesn’t eat dragonfruit. Using common ingredients that’s always in demand sets a strong baseline.

"Random" was probably the wrong word to use. "Properly representative of average food costs" is probably a better phrase.

Now do housing.

Just buy 3 fewer iPhones every month, problem solved!