 Have you ever wondered how global food prices are monitored? How is the information of the costs gathered and how is it related to the real prices we pay for buying food in the market? The FAO Food Price Index, which has become the benchmark for tracking changes in international food commodity prices, is a monthly price index produced and published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The index was first introduced in 1996 as a public good to help monitor development in the global food commodity markets. The index tracks price developments from five broad food groups, namely cereals, vegetable oils, dairy, meat and sugar, using almost 100 price rotations taken from leading exporting countries. It covers 24 food commodities that together account for 40% of global gross agricultural commodity trade. These food commodities are chosen for their high strategic importance and role in global food security and trade. Prices in the various sectors are combined using trade rates calculated from average export values over a chosen three-year base period. FAO also calculates the index in real terms, using a generally accepted deflator, allowing users to compare prices over time. The annual price index series is available all the way from 1961. This effectively empowers nations, communities and individuals to remain totally informed regarding food price inflation and cost trends, as well as the current state of the food market. While the prices measured are not those that consumers find in their local markets, the focus is on export prices of staple food. Items offer information on import costs, as well as guidance for many stakeholders. This helps guide decision and policy making, aiming to promote global food security and as a result, a better, healthier future for all.