Randy Chandler
The US government has been storing cheese in caves in Missouri since the 1970s. The cheese is kept in converted limestone mines, which are temperature-controlled to keep the cheese at a constant 36 degrees Fahrenheit. The US government has been stockpiling cheese since the 1950s, but the amount of cheese stored increased dramatically in the 1970s after President Jimmy Carter decided to subsidize the dairy industry, leading to overproduction. The government continues to purchase and store cheese to support farmers and provide food assistance to low-income individuals. While some people enjoy the taste of government cheese, others criticize the practice as wasteful and unhealthy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Missouri caves |
| Quantity | 1.4 billion pounds |
| Temperature | 36 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Purpose | To help farmers and low-income consumers |
| Recipients | Welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, elderly receiving Social Security, food banks, churches, military kitchens, schools |
| Nutrition | High in fat and sodium |
| Taste | Bland, dense, and hardy |
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What You'll Learn
The US government stores cheese in caves in Missouri
The US government has been storing cheese in caves in Missouri, in what has been termed "cheese caves". These caves are converted limestone mines, kept at a constant temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit, and are used to store the country's 1.4 billion pounds of surplus cheese. The US government's cheese hoarding began in the 1950s after World War II, but the amount of cheese stockpiled increased significantly in the 1970s.
During the 1970s, the US experienced a national dairy shortage, along with 30% inflation on dairy products. In response to this crisis, President Jimmy Carter decided to invest heavily in the dairy industry, providing two billion dollars to the industry over four years. This intervention resulted in a drastic drop in prices and primed the industry for overproduction. Farmers, motivated by the knowledge that the government would likely purchase any unsold produce, increased their production.
By 1980, the US government had bought over 500 million pounds of cheese, and the USDA, with a large presence in Kansas City, Missouri, needed a local, safe, and climate-controlled storage space. The caves along Interstate 435 provided a convenient cold-storage option. The "cheese caves" are hundreds of feet underground, and while their exact location is not public knowledge, they are believed to be somewhere near Springfield or Kansas City, Missouri.
The government's cheese stockpile has been used to provide food assistance to those in need. As part of the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), eligible seniors over 60 receive processed cheese, and cheese is also distributed to food banks, churches, and victims of natural disasters. During World War II and in the 1950s, government cheese was used in military kitchens and schools. However, the cheese surplus has also been criticised as a waste of resources, with some arguing that the funds used to maintain the cheese caves and subsidise dairy production could be better spent elsewhere.
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The cheese is stored in converted limestone mines
The US government has been stockpiling cheese for decades. In the 1970s, the US government intervened during a national dairy shortage, which had caused a 30% inflation on dairy products. Then-President Jimmy Carter decided to pour money into the dairy industry to motivate production and alleviate the crisis. This led to overproduction, and the government ended up buying the surplus cheese.
The government's cheese stockpile has been estimated to be around 1.4 billion pounds, or 635,000 tonnes. This cheese is provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. It is also distributed to food banks, churches, and victims of natural disasters.
The practice of storing cheese in caves may not be the best use of government funds. With declining dairy consumption and increasing lactose intolerance in the US, the government may be better off helping dairy farmers transition to more in-demand crops.
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The caves are kept at 36 degrees Fahrenheit
The US government has been storing cheese in caves since the 1950s, but the current stockpiling started in the 1970s. The cheese caves are located hundreds of feet below ground in converted limestone mines in Missouri. These caves are kept at a constant 36 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the ideal temperature for storing cheese.
The government's cheese stockpile is a result of their intervention in the dairy industry during the 1970s. In response to a national dairy shortage and high inflation on dairy products, the government decided to subsidize the industry. This led to overproduction, as farmers knew that the government would purchase any cheese that was not sold on the market. By 1980, the US government had bought over 500 million pounds of cheese, and the total stockpile now stands at 1.4 billion pounds.
The caves are an ideal storage solution for the cheese as they are climate-controlled and inaccessible. The constant temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit is essential for keeping the cheese in good condition and preventing spoilage. This temperature is maintained naturally in the limestone caves, providing the perfect environment for storing cheese.
The government's cheese stockpile has been the subject of much discussion and controversy. Some argue that the funds used to maintain the cheese caves could be better spent elsewhere, especially as the dairy industry is facing declining consumption and environmental concerns. Others point out that the cheese has been helpful in providing food assistance to those in need, such as low-income families and seniors.
The cheese caves in Missouri are a unique and fascinating aspect of US history. They showcase the government's efforts to stabilize the dairy industry and ensure food security for vulnerable populations. While there are ongoing debates about the effectiveness and impact of the cheese stockpile, it remains a significant part of the country's food reserve.
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The government subsidised the dairy industry, leading to overproduction
The US government has been storing cheese in Missouri caves since the 1970s. This practice began in response to a national dairy shortage in the 1970s, when the government intervened to stabilise prices, resulting in a drastic drop in prices. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter decided to subsidise the dairy industry, providing two billion dollars over the next four years to motivate production and alleviate the crisis.
While this plan was welcomed by dairy farmers, it also incentivised overproduction. Farmers, knowing that the government would likely purchase their unsold produce, were motivated to produce as much dairy as possible. By 1980, the US government had bought over 500 million pounds of cheese, and the subsidisation of the dairy industry continued into the 1980s.
The cheese was stored in converted limestone mines, kept at a constant temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit, creating the ideal conditions for storing the massive stockpiles of government-owned cheese. The US government's cheese hoard, which currently stands at 1.4 billion pounds, is a fascinating aspect of the country's history, but it also reveals an issue with the dairy industry's overproduction and declining consumption.
The funds used to maintain these "cheese caves" and subsidise the overproduction of dairy may be better spent elsewhere. Instead of subsidising an industry that knowingly overproduces and pollutes the environment, the government could help farmers transition to more in-demand and environmentally sustainable crops.
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The cheese is distributed to welfare beneficiaries and food banks
The US government has been providing cheese to welfare beneficiaries and food banks since the 1950s. This practice began after World War II, when the government started storing cheese in small storage centres in case of emergencies. The cheese was distributed to welfare beneficiaries, including those on food stamps and social security, with no impact on food stamp eligibility or use. It was also provided to food banks and churches.
The cheese was initially stored in reasonable amounts, but this changed in 1979 when a disaster wiped out demand and President Jimmy Carter decided to help the dairy farmers by placing a large order of cheese. The government's cheese stockpile continued to grow when Ronald Reagan took office, as he continued the practice of ordering large volumes of cheese at reduced prices.
The cheese was distributed as part of the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program of the Food and Nutrition Service, and was provided to recipients at no cost. It was also used in military kitchens during World War II and has been served in schools since the 1950s. The cheese was provided in unsliced block form, with generic product labelling and packaging.
While some people have enjoyed the taste of government cheese, describing it as dense and hardy, others have found it bland and inferior. There has also been criticism that providing this cheese to people in poverty may contribute to higher obesity rates. However, the cheese has been used to create unique recipes and has been a staple for many.
The US government's cheese distribution program aims to help those in need, providing a source of nutrition and support for low-income individuals and families.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the US government has stored cheese in caves in Missouri.
The US government started storing cheese in caves due to a national dairy shortage in the 1970s. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter decided to invest in the dairy industry to increase production and alleviate the crisis. This led to a surplus of cheese in the 1980s, which the government purchased to keep prices stable and support farmers.
The US government has stored millions to billions of pounds of cheese in the caves, with estimates ranging from 1.2 billion to 1.5 billion pounds.
