Bushra Griffith
The Wahlburgers burger chain, owned by the Wahlberg family, including entertainers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg, serves government cheese on their burgers. Government cheese was distributed to people living in poverty in the 1980s. During the Depression, the US government bought excess milk to support dairy farmers and turned it into cheese to prolong its shelf life. The cheese was then given to families who were struggling financially as part of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). The Wahlbergs have been open about their experiences with poverty and have embraced the use of government cheese in their restaurants, although they have not revealed where they source it from.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Owners | Mark, Donnie and Paul Wahlberg |
| First location | Hingham, Massachusetts |
| Year of first opening | 2011 |
| Government cheese | Distributed to people on welfare, also known as "surplus cheese" |
| Given to families struggling financially | |
| Used to be served at Wahlburgers | |
| Now replaced with pasteurized process American cheese |
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What You'll Learn
The history of government cheese in the US
Government cheese in the US dates back to the Agricultural Act of 1949, which gave the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) the authority to stabilise farm incomes. In the early 1980s, during a time of volatile milk production and recession, the US government distributed approximately 300 million pounds of pungent-smelling processed cheese produced with federal funds. This cheese was provided through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program, which was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 to address food insecurity and stabilise dairy prices. California was the first state to receive surplus inventory, totalling 3,000,000 pounds.
The cheese was described as having a distinct pale orange colour and an unforgettable flavour, resembling a blend of Velveeta and American cheese. It came in iconic five-pound blocks, making it instantly recognisable as different from standard cheeses like cheddar or Camembert. The distribution of government cheese was criticised by some as a display of socioeconomic status, while others were grateful for the assistance it provided during difficult economic times.
The first batches of government cheese were reportedly mouldy, and it gained a reputation for having a weird texture that made it suitable only for dishes like macaroni and cheese or grilled cheese sandwiches. Despite this, it has left a lasting impression, with some recalling it fondly for its role in providing nourishment during challenging periods.
The US government ended its cheese programme in the 1990s when dairy prices stabilised. However, as of 2022, eligible seniors over 60 can still receive a 32-ounce block of processed cheese monthly through the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Much of the government's cheese is stored in "Missouri cheese caves", underground warehouses in Missouri that are part of a national network of cheese storage facilities.
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The Wahlbergs' personal experience with government cheese
The Wahlberg family, owners of the Wahlburgers chain, have been open about their experiences with government cheese. Donnie, Mark, and Paul Wahlberg grew up poor and relied on food stamps and welfare to get by. In an interview, Donnie shared that they would go to the government food line and get free cheese and peanut butter. The family has referred to this cheese as "welfare cheese".
The Wahlbergs have also discussed their journey through poverty and how they relied on government assistance during tough times. They have adopted a dark sense of humor about their experiences, which has been well-received by those with similar upbringings. The family has even embraced their past with government cheese in their business, initially using it as a topping on their burgers. They have since switched to a premium American cheese but continue to pay homage to their roots.
In 2014, Wahlburgers tweeted a picture of a cheeseburger with the caption, "Yes, that is government cheese. That's the way we like it. You too?" This tweet sparked conversations about the complex emotions associated with government cheese. For some, it triggers feelings of nostalgia, while others view it as a difficult reminder of challenging times.
The Wahlbergs' experience with government cheese reflects a larger historical context in the United States. During the Depression and the 1980s, the US government intervened to stabilize milk prices and support dairy farmers. This led to significant cheese surpluses, which were then distributed through nutrition programs to people in need. The Special Dairy Distribution Program (SDDP), announced by President Reagan in 1981, aimed to provide roughly 30 million pounds of cheese to struggling families.
The Wahlbergs' personal journey with government cheese showcases their resilience and their ability to connect with others who have faced similar struggles. By sharing their story, they have helped destigmatize the experience of relying on government assistance and sparked conversations about the complexities of the American welfare system.
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Government cheese in pop culture
Government cheese has made its way into pop culture as a shorthand for poverty or government handouts. The term "government cheese" comes from the US government's decision to socialize cheese during Ronald Reagan's presidency in the 1980s. The government purchased excess milk from farmers to stabilize dairy prices, but this led to a massive cheese surplus. The cheese was then distributed to the public, particularly the needy, the elderly, and low-income individuals, as part of the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program.
The cheese had a distinct appearance and taste, coming in iconic stacks of five-pound blocks with a pale orange color and a pungent smell. Some described its flavor as a mix of Velveeta and American cheese, while others recalled its salty taste and unusual texture. The cheese became associated with socioeconomic status and hard times, with some grateful for the assistance and others embarrassed by their reliance on government handouts.
Today, government cheese is still distributed to eligible Americans over 60 through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. While the program aims to tackle food insecurity and provide stability, there have been concerns about its potential adverse effects on the commercial cheese market and the health implications for those consuming large quantities of cheese.
The unique nature of government cheese and its role in US history have made it a memorable part of pop culture, referenced in media and popular discourse as a symbol of government intervention and a lighthearted reminder of the past. Wahlburgers, for example, offers "Government Cheese" as a topping for their burgers, allowing customers to enjoy a slice of American history with their meal.
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Government cheese and the dairy industry
Government cheese, also known as "pasteurized process American cheese", is a product of government intervention in the dairy industry. This intervention has a long history, dating back to the period after World War I when a milk surplus hit dairy farmers hard. Dairy farmers have relied on government bailouts for almost a century.
In the 1970s, the US government used taxpayer funds to purchase excess milk. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter allocated $2 billion in federal funds to the dairy industry over four years, leading to overproduction. The government then purchased the excess milk from dairy farmers and processed it into cheese, butter, and dehydrated milk powder. This resulted in massive stockpiles of cheese, with over 500 million pounds being stored in warehouses across 35 states. The government struggled to find a market for this cheese, and it became known as "government cheese".
The Dairy Checkoff Program, also known as the National Dairy Promotion & Research Board, is another example of government involvement in the dairy industry. This industry-funded and government-controlled program promotes the sale of dairy products through marketing, research, and nutrition education. Dairy farmers and importers fund the program through a tax based on the weight of the milk they sell. Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI), with oversight from the USDA, manages these funds and channels them into regional and national dairy promotion programs. DMI has worked with chain restaurants to add more dairy options to their menus.
Despite declining dairy consumption in the United States, the government has continued to subsidize and stockpile surplus cheese. In 2019, the government was storing 1.4 billion pounds of cheese in converted limestone mines, maintained at a temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit. This overproduction has led to concerns about the environmental impact of the dairy industry and the use of taxpayer funds to subsidize it.
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Government cheese today
Government cheese is still available today as part of the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Eligible seniors over 60 are provided with one 32-ounce block of processed cheese food each month, supplied by participating dairies. Government cheese is also available at food banks and pantries, and can be acquired for free.
The cheese is stored in "Missouri cheese caves", underground warehouses for storing and ageing cheese in and around the Midwestern state of Missouri. It is a pasteurized processed American cheese with a distinctive taste and pale orange colour, made from a variety of cheeses, including cheddar and colby, and made meltable using emulsifiers and blended.
The cheese was originally produced to support dairy farmers and cheese companies, and to maintain an artificially high and stabilized price of milk through dairy industry subsidies, which created a surplus of milk that was converted into cheese, butter, and powdered milk. This surplus was stored in warehouses across 35 states, and the government had to decide how to distribute it.
In the early 1980s, the US government distributed around 300 million pounds of the cheese to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security, as well as to food banks and churches. It was also sold at discounted prices or distributed as aid to foreign countries.
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Frequently asked questions
Government cheese is the colloquial term for the cheese that was distributed by the US government to people on welfare in the 1980s.
The owners of Wahlburgers, the Wahlberg family, grew up poor and relied on food stamps and welfare. They used government cheese because it reminded them of their childhood.
No, as of 2022, Wahlburgers uses a premium American cheese to top their burgers. However, they still pay homage to their roots by calling the cheese on their burgers "government cheese" on their menu.
