Kamil Perry
The US government has a long history of intervening in the dairy industry, dating back to the Great Depression. In recent years, the USDA's dairy checkoff program has spent millions of dollars increasing pizza consumption among US children and adults. This has included partnerships with pizza chains such as Domino's and Pizza Hut to add more cheese to their products. However, the notion that pizza chains use government cheese is a popular misconception. While the US government has previously distributed cheese blocks to low-income families through programs like the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program, this cheese is typically not used in commercial food production due to its lower quality and the priority that pizza chains place on using premium ingredients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does the government give cheese to pizza chains? | No, but the US government has been found to push pizza to help the cheese industry. |
| Reason for the myth | The US government has been found to store billions of pounds of cheese, which is distributed through food assistance programs. |
| Government's role in the pizza industry | The USDA's dairy checkoff program has spent millions of dollars to increase pizza consumption among US children and adults. |
| Dairy checkoff program | Managed by a board of producers appointed by the secretary of agriculture, and all expenditures are approved by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). |
| Dairy Management Inc (DMI) | The organization that carries out much of the actual activity of the checkoff program, and is overseen by the USDA. |
| DMI's partnerships | Pizza chains like Domino's, Pizza Hut, and McDonald's to develop cheesy, high-fat products. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The US government has been trying to increase cheese consumption
- Dairy checkoff programmes have spent millions of dollars to increase pizza consumption
- Pizza chains prioritise quality cheese ingredients
- Government cheese is a blend of different types of cheese
- The US government has been subsidising and stockpiling cheese
The US government has been trying to increase cheese consumption
To address this issue, the government has been subsidizing and stockpiling America's surplus cheese. The USDA's dairy checkoff program has spent millions of dollars increasing pizza consumption among US children and adults, partnering with fast-food restaurant chains, especially Domino's Pizza. The USDA report found that the economic payoff to producers is greater for cheese marketing efforts than for fluid milk marketing efforts. For every $1 the checkoff program spends on increasing demand for cheese, farmers get $4.43 in increased revenue. This partnership with Domino's included new product lines, increased cheese quantities, and the introduction of specialty cheeses into the company's recipes.
The government's efforts to increase cheese consumption are not limited to pizza chains. The government has also been working with other fast-food restaurants, including McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and Wendy's, to develop cheesy, high-fat products. Additionally, the government has been promoting the consumption of skim milk, which was determined to be a nutritious source of protein in the 1980s, and was heavily pushed in schools as part of their school lunch programs.
While the government's efforts to increase cheese consumption have been successful in boosting demand for cheese, there are concerns about the health implications of these partnerships. Critics argue that the USDA's dairy checkoff program undermines its standing as a credible voice in promoting healthy eating. Additionally, the export of America's cheese for fast food has been linked to epidemics of diet-related diseases abroad.
Cici's Alfredo Pizza: Is There Cheese or Not?
You may want to see also
Dairy checkoff programmes have spent millions of dollars to increase pizza consumption
Dairy checkoff programmes have been spending millions of dollars to increase pizza consumption. Dairy checkoff programmes are semi-governmental programmes managed by a board of producers appointed by the secretary of agriculture, and all expenditures are approved by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The goal of these programmes is to increase economic demand for dairy producers. Dairy Management Inc (DMI), a dairy industry organisation, carries out much of the actual activity.
DMI has worked with several fast-food restaurants, including McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and Wendy's, to develop cheesy, high-fat products. In 2010, DMI shared research with Pizza Hut to convince them that consumers wanted more cheese on their pizzas. This led to Pizza Hut adding more cheese to its pan pizza recipe. DMI has also worked with Domino's Pizza, spending over $35 million over three years in partnership activities. These promotional activities included new product lines with more cheese than before, and the introduction of specialty cheeses. For example, DMI supported Domino's in adding Pepperoni Stuffed Cheesy Bread, which is stuffed with cheese and pepperoni and then covered in mozzarella and cheddar.
The USDA report found that the economic payoff to producers is greater for cheese marketing efforts than for fluid milk marketing efforts. For every $1 the checkoff programme spends on increasing demand for fluid milk, farmers get $3.95 in increased revenue. However, for every $1 spent on increasing demand for cheese, farmers get $4.43 in increased revenue. This is because cheese is much more profitable for dairy producers than fluid milk.
The dairy checkoff programmes have been criticised for promoting unhealthy eating. Neal Barnard, author of The Cheese Trap, said:
> The dairy industry and the USDA have a long history of working with fast-food chains like Domino’s to hook Americans on disease-causing cheese.
The US government has a long history of intervening in the dairy market. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter provided two billion dollars to the industry over four years in response to a national dairy shortage. In 1981, Ronald Reagan enacted the public distribution of "government cheese" to low-income families through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This cheese was not the type used on pizzas but was more like the rubbery slices of American cheese found in grocery stores.
Cheese Pizza: Does Sauce Belong?
You may want to see also
Pizza chains prioritise quality cheese ingredients
The idea that pizza chains use government cheese is a common misconception. While "government cheese" was once distributed to low-income families through food assistance programs, its use in commercial food production, including pizza, is rare. Pizza chains, like other food businesses, prioritise quality and consistency in their ingredients, particularly cheese, to meet customer expectations and maintain their brand reputation.
Pizza chains invest in sourcing cheese from reliable suppliers who meet their specific quality requirements. They understand the pivotal role that cheese plays in the overall taste and experience of pizza. High-quality mozzarella, for example, offers a rich, creamy flavour and melts perfectly, creating a gooey, stringy texture that complements the pizza toppings.
Many pizza chains are transparent about their cheese sourcing practices, providing information about their ingredients on their websites or in their restaurants. Consumers can be assured that the cheese they enjoy on their pizza is carefully selected and meets quality standards. Pizza chains may also offer premium ingredients or signature flavours to enhance the culinary experience.
In recent years, the USDA's dairy checkoff programme has spent millions of dollars increasing pizza consumption among US children and adults. The programme aims to boost economic demand for dairy producers, and partnerships with pizza chains, such as Domino's, have been instrumental in promoting cheese consumption. However, these partnerships have also been criticised for promoting unhealthy eating habits and contributing to diet-related diseases.
In conclusion, pizza chains prioritise quality cheese ingredients to ensure customer satisfaction and maintain their brand image. They source their cheese from reputable suppliers, emphasising transparency and consistency. While government cheese distribution has declined, the USDA continues to play a role in influencing cheese consumption through partnerships with pizza chains, impacting the American restaurant landscape.
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza: Is Cheese a Must?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Government cheese is a blend of different types of cheese
Government cheese, also known as "American Cheese Food" or "Processed Cheese Food", was created to manage surplus milk production during the Great Depression. The government purchased excess milk from farmers and transformed it into cheese to be distributed to low-income families. This program evolved over the years, with government cheese being used in various initiatives like food assistance programs and disaster relief efforts.
Government cheese is not a single type of cheese but a blend of different types of cheese, typically cheddar, Colby, and Monterey Jack. It is made using a specific process that involves melting, blending, and adding emulsifiers and other additives to create a smooth, consistent texture. This process results in a less expensive cheese with a longer shelf life than traditional cheeses.
While government cheese was once widely distributed, its use in commercial food production, including pizza, is rare. Pizza chains prioritize quality and consistency in their ingredients and source their cheese from reputable suppliers who meet strict quality standards. The idea that pizza chains use government cheese is a common misconception.
In recent years, the focus has shifted to addressing declining dairy consumption and overproduction. The government has been subsidizing and stockpiling surplus cheese, with the USDA's dairy checkoff program partnering with fast-food pizza chains like Domino's to increase cheese consumption. These partnerships have led to the creation of new product lines with more cheese and the introduction of specialty cheeses into the company's recipes.
Cheese Placement: The Final Step in Pizza Making
You may want to see also
The US government has been subsidising and stockpiling cheese
The US government has a long history of intervening in the dairy market. In the 1970s, a national dairy shortage and 30% inflation on dairy products prompted the government to take action. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter decided to invest two billion dollars in the dairy industry over four years, subsidising dairy production to alleviate the crisis. This led to a cheese surplus. In 1981, the Reagan administration began distributing this cheese to people at food banks and community centres through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This "government cheese" became a cultural icon, referenced in songs by Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg.
The US government has continued to subsidise and stockpile cheese, with 1.4 billion pounds of government-owned cheese stored in converted limestone mines in Missouri as recently as 2019. This is due to declining dairy consumption and overproduction, with production rising 13% since 2010. The government has tried to address this by encouraging people to eat more cheese, partnering with fast-food pizza chains such as Domino's and Pizza Hut to increase cheese consumption. Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which runs the USDA's dairy checkoff program, has spent millions of dollars on marketing and promotional activities with these companies to increase pizza consumption and drive cheese sales.
The notion that pizza chains use "government cheese" is a common misconception. While it was once widely distributed through food assistance programs, its use in commercial food production is now rare. Pizza chains prioritise quality and consistency in their ingredients, sourcing their cheese from reputable suppliers who meet strict quality standards.
The US government's efforts to prop up the dairy industry and promote cheese consumption have had a significant impact on the American restaurant landscape, with cheese becoming an integral part of many dishes, particularly pizza.
Authentic Italian Pizza: Cheese or No Cheese?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, the government does not give cheese to pizza chains. While the US government has been known to stockpile and distribute cheese, its use in commercial food production is rare. Pizza chains prioritize quality and consistency in their ingredients and source their cheese from reputable suppliers.
The US government has been known to stockpile cheese to address dairy shortages and support dairy farmers. However, giving cheese to pizza chains would likely compete with cheese manufacturers and put them out of business.
Government cheese, also known as "American Cheese Food" or "Processed Cheese Food," is distributed through food assistance programs to address food insecurity. It is also used in disaster relief efforts and can be found in specialty markets or as an ingredient in certain processed cheese products.
