While you may be interested in the stock market, GDP, or consumer index, there's economic news important to only Louisiana: the gumbo index!
It is a regional spin that takes a look at the inflationary impacts of the economy by breaking down the cost of a pot of gumbo.
With talk of tariffs on imports, Walter "Dub" Lane, Professor of Economics at UNO, breaks down how much a pot might set you back.
"First, it starts with the shrimp and crawfish that are taxed very high right now if they are imported."
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And while foreign seafood is not the standard in our region, its prices now may even exceed local prices as the trade war continues.
Lane says for the most part, our food supply is domestically grown so there won't be sweeping changes, but there are some products important to the gumbo pot that will also take a hit.
"Lots of vegetables that we import will be hit with taxes we will see."
That's your trinity...
According to the gumbo index for the month of March, last year a pot of seafood gumbo was $60, and this year it is $67.
Lane says other items not going into the average gumbo are costing more now too.
"Things like bananas, coffee, and tomatoes."
Lane says buying American food helps strengthen the economy at home, it isn't exactly a penny saver.
"Our domestic products are usually higher in price."
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