Patrick Oconnell
In the United States, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need. While the program does not provide free cheese, it did distribute cheese at discounted prices or as aid to foreign countries. Government cheese was provided through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) at no cost to welfare, food stamp, and Social Security recipients. The cheese was a byproduct of maintaining artificially high milk prices through dairy industry subsidies, which produced a surplus that was converted into cheese, butter, and powdered milk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Government Cheese |
| Availability | Food banks, community centers, churches, schools, military kitchens |
| Recipients | Welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, the elderly receiving Social Security |
| Serving size | 1 ounce (28 g) or two slices |
| Nutritional information | 9 g of total fat content, 6 g of saturated fat, 30 mg of cholesterol, 380 mg of sodium |
| Flavour | Mild cheddar to Velveeta cheese |
| Storage | 150 warehouses across 35 states |
| Current Status | The US government stores 1.4 billion pounds of cheese |
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What You'll Learn
The Food Stamp Program is now called SNAP
The Food Stamp Program is now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program is the US government's most important anti-hunger program, providing food-purchasing assistance to low- and no-income persons to help them maintain adequate nutrition and health. SNAP benefits are provided to over 40 million Americans, with nearly 62% of participants being families with children.
The history of the Food Stamp Program dates back to the 1930s, when the Great Depression caused widespread unemployment, homelessness, and starvation. At the time, farmers had surplus produce, but many people could not afford to buy it. The Food Stamp Program was intended to help the poor and boost the economy by ensuring farmers received a fair price for their produce. In the 1960s and 1970s, the program expanded nationwide, and research has shown that children born to low-income women in counties with the program had better health outcomes as adults than those in counties without it.
In the late 1990s, the Food Stamp Program underwent a revamp, with some states phasing out the actual stamps in favor of a specialized debit card system known as Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). This change was implemented in all states by June 2004. The 2008 farm bill officially renamed the program to SNAP, marking a shift in focus towards providing nutrition and reducing the stigma associated with the phrase "food stamps".
SNAP benefits are deposited monthly into the household's EBT card account, which can then be used to purchase food at various authorized retailers, including supermarkets, convenience stores, farmers' markets, and more. The amount of SNAP benefits received depends on the household's size, income, and expenses. SNAP is a vital program that not only helps ensure nutritional support for low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities but also acts as a stimulus for the economy during economic downturns.
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Government cheese was distributed for free in the 1980s
Government cheese was provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security in the United States. It was also distributed to food banks and churches. The cheese was a byproduct of the US federal government's efforts to maintain an artificially high and stabilized milk price through dairy industry subsidies. This resulted in a surplus that was converted into cheese, butter, and powdered milk. The excess was stored in over 150 warehouses across 35 states, creating a strategic Federal food reserve.
In the early 1980s, the US government distributed approximately 300 million pounds of pungent-smelling processed cheese produced with federal funds. The cheese was described as having a colour between pale orange and yellow, coming in iconic stacks of five-pound blocks. It was distributed to low-income families, the elderly, and organizations serving them.
The distribution of government cheese became an important topic for the press in the 1980s. The press highlighted the contrast between the stockpiled milk products and the food insecurity faced by millions of Americans. On December 22, 1981, President Ronald Reagan signed the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, authorizing the release of 560 million pounds of cheese stockpiled by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The act specified that the cheese would be "distributed free to the needy by nonprofit organizations."
The cheese was provided through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program at no cost to recipients of welfare, food stamps, and Social Security. It had no impact on food stamp eligibility or use. The cheese was also sold at discounted prices or distributed as aid to foreign countries.
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SNAP provides an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to eligible low-income households to help them buy food and obtain a more nutritious diet. SNAP benefits are added to the EBT card each month, and the card can be used to purchase food at grocery stores and supermarkets. The amount that can be spent is electronically subtracted from the SNAP account, and the household can only spend the amount available in the account. The EBT card is not a credit card, and to be eligible for SNAP benefits, one must meet their state's requirements, including income limits. States may also consider other resources, such as bank balances, to determine eligibility.
The EBT card can be locked when not in use to protect benefits from skimming and theft. Locking the card blocks all purchases, balance inquiries, and transactions, ensuring fund security. Additionally, the Auto Re-Lock feature automatically relocks the card after a set period. The official myCOMPASS PA mobile app can be used to manage benefits, view balances and transactions, update personal information, and more.
SNAP is a crucial program that assists individuals and families in need by providing them with the means to purchase food and improve their nutritional intake. The program's EBT card is a convenient and secure way for beneficiaries to access their benefits and make purchases.
Historically, the term "food stamps" was used to refer to government-provided assistance for purchasing food. In the 1980s, during the Reagan administration, there was a focus on providing cheese to those in need. This cheese, known as "government cheese," was distributed to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. It was also provided to food banks and churches. The distribution of government cheese was a response to concerns about milk products stockpiling while Americans experienced food insecurity.
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SNAP benefits can be used to buy seeds or plants for growing food
The US government has, in the past, provided cheese to welfare beneficiaries, food stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. This was known as "government cheese". It was a response to the dairy industry's concerns about cheese surpluses adversely affecting the market for commercial cheese. Government cheese was provided through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program at no cost to recipients of welfare, food stamps, and Social Security.
Government cheese was first introduced during World War II and continued to be distributed until the early 1980s. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan's administration cut the budget for the federal food stamp program and authorized the release of 560 million pounds of cheese stockpiled by the Commodity Credit Corporation to be distributed for free by nonprofit organizations.
While the distribution of government cheese may still occur, the focus has shifted to empowering individuals to become producers rather than just consumers. This is where the SNAP program comes in.
SNAP participants can use their benefits to buy seeds and edible plants from authorized retailers, including Farmers' Markets. This enables them to grow their own food, promoting self-reliance and improved nutrition. For every $1 spent on seeds and fertilizer, home gardeners can grow an average of $25 worth of produce, allowing SNAP benefits to last longer.
In addition to seeds and plants, SNAP benefits can also be used to purchase edible food-producing roots, bushes, and bulbs, such as asparagus crowns and onion bulbs. However, it is important to note that gardening soil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other gardening supplies are not eligible items under SNAP.
Participants who are new to gardening can seek support through community gardening classes and clubs, as well as online resources and forums dedicated to sharing gardening ideas and instructions.
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SNAP benefits can be used to purchase a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food-purchasing assistance for low- and no-income people living in the United States. SNAP benefits are distributed monthly and can be used to purchase eligible food items from authorised retailers.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a program where individuals pay a farm for a membership that entitles them to a share of the farm's harvest. This typically includes a set quantity of raw foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy, made available for member pick-up on a weekly basis.
SNAP benefits can be used to purchase eligible food items from a CSA. However, SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for a CSA membership fee or to pay for items bought on credit. SNAP customers face limitations on their ability to use benefits to pay for food far in advance of pick-up. Any prepayments made with SNAP benefits must be within 14 days of pick-up, which means that SNAP customers must make multiple payments throughout the season instead of one upfront payment.
To accommodate SNAP customers, CSA providers may request that the customer signs a written agreement committing to participating in and paying for a full CSA season without specifying the source of funds. The CSA provider may also request a non-SNAP deposit that will be refunded at the end of the season.
Some organisations, such as the Pacific NW CSA Coalition, offer programs to help make CSA shares more affordable for SNAP customers. For example, the Double Up Food Bucks program matches half the cost of eligible shares purchased using SNAP benefits, making CSA shares more accessible while supporting local farmers.
In the 1980s, the US government also provided free cheese to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program. This was in response to a surplus of cheese stockpiled by the Commodity Credit Corporation and was distributed by nonprofit organisations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the food stamp program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provides free cheese to eligible recipients. SNAP is a federal nutrition program administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) that helps individuals and families buy fresh, nutritious food.
Government cheese is processed cheese provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. It is also distributed to food banks and churches.
You can apply for SNAP online or by calling the DTA Assistance Line at (877) 382-2363. The SNAP application is available in multiple languages, and DTA provides interpreters to assist with the application process if needed.
SNAP benefits can be used to purchase most foods, seeds or plants for growing food, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares to buy farm-fresh produce. Additionally, certain eligible households can use their benefits to purchase hot meals through participating restaurants in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP).
