Can Internet Surveys Mimic Food Insecurity Rates Published by the US Government?

Food insecurity in the US is measured by the US government using a true probability sample of US citizens. While ideal, some researchers may consider cheaper opt-in internet surveys. This study measures food insecurity rates using three opt-in internet surveys and compares the measured rates to those reported by the US government. When sample balancing and the screening procedure employed by the US government is used, the internet survey overstates the percent of food insecure households by 9-14%. However, if one assumes all households with incomes above 185% of the poverty line are food secure, rates are closer to the US government estimates.