Patrick Oconnell
Government cheese is a term used to refer to the pasteurized process American cheese that was provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security in the United States. It was produced from a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Colby, cheese curd, or granular cheese, and made meltable using emulsifiers. The term government cheese became popular in the 1980s when the press learned about the large stockpiles of dairy products being stored by the government while many Americans faced food insecurity. The cheese was often from food surpluses stockpiled by the government as part of milk price support programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Pasteurized processed American cheese |
| Ingredients | Cheddar cheese, Colby cheese, cheese curd, or granular cheese |
| Texture | Blocky shape |
| Taste | Similar to Velveeta, but with a sharper flavor |
| Nutritional Information | 1 ounce (28 g) or two slices per serving |
| Distribution | Welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, the elderly receiving Social Security, food banks, churches, military kitchens, schools |
| Storage | Over 150 warehouses across 35 states |
| Symbolism | Poverty, hardship, and nostalgia |
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What You'll Learn
- Government cheese was a result of price support programs to maintain demand for foods with excess production
- It was provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security
- Government cheese was highly salted cheddar
- It was a source of shame for those who received it
- It was discontinued in the late '80s
Government cheese was a result of price support programs to maintain demand for foods with excess production
Government cheese is a term used to refer to the pasteurized processed American cheese provided by the US federal government to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. It was also distributed to food banks and churches. The cheese was produced from a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Colby, cheese curd, or granular cheese, and was made meltable using emulsifiers and blended.
The history of government cheese can be traced back to the 1940s when the Agricultural Act of 1949 gave the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), a government-owned corporation, the authority to purchase dairy products like cheese from farmers to stabilize farm incomes. During the 1970s, the US government intervened to stabilize dairy prices, which had shot up by 30% as the price of other foods inflated. As a result, dairy farmers began to produce more milk, leading to stockpiles that ballooned to over 500 million pounds stored in hundreds of warehouses in 35 states by the 1980s.
The massive surplus of dairy products resulted from a range of price-support programs and economic initiatives intended to benefit farmers and food producers. The government, faced with tons of cheese to dispose of, decided to distribute it to the poor, elderly, and low-income individuals and organizations serving them. This decision was also influenced by the food insecurity experienced by millions of Americans during the recession. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan signed the Agriculture and Food Act, authorizing the release of 560 million pounds of cheese stockpiled by the CCC.
The distribution of government cheese continued into the 1990s until dairy prices stabilized, and the government exited the cheese business. While it provided critical sustenance to those in need, government cheese also carried a stigma, becoming a source of shame for those who received it, as it was indicative of their financial situation.
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It was provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security
Government cheese, a processed American cheese provided by the US government, was distributed to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the You may want to see also Government cheese, which was provided to welfare recipients in the US from the 1930s through to the early 1990s, was highly salted cheddar. This cheese was a block cheese, processed and annatto-coloured, with a shelf life of around 12 months. It was provided in 5-pound blocks, wrapped in opaque yellow or orange plastic. The cheese was provided to low-income families as a You may want to see also Government cheese was a source of shame for those who received it. The cheese was a clear indicator of a family's financial situation. In school cafeterias, children felt embarrassed to be seen eating it. The cheese was distributed to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. It was also given to food banks and churches. The cheese was produced from a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Colby, cheese curd, or granular cheese. It was made meltable using emulsifiers and blended. It was often highly salted. The taste and smell have been described as a cross between very low-grade American cheese, a generic Velveeta knockoff, and a somewhat rancid Cheddar. Government cheese was a byproduct of maintaining an artificially high and stabilized price of milk through dairy industry subsidies, which produced 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. The cheese was first distributed during a time of volatile milk production in the 1980s recession. In the early 1980s, the U.S. government distributed approximately 300 million pounds of pungent-smelling processed cheese that had been produced with federal funds. The cheese was also distributed to victims of natural disasters following a state of emergency declaration. Despite the shame associated with receiving government cheese, it also evokes complicated feelings of nostalgia for those who grew up with it. It was a source of sustenance and comfort during difficult times. Some people have fond memories of their family members making grilled cheese sandwiches with the cheese. It has even been referenced in song lyrics and rap songs, reflecting on times of poverty and hardship. You may want to see also Government cheese was discontinued in the late 1980s. The end of the iconic cheese came about due to a combination of factors. Firstly, the US government's support of dairy farmers, which had led to the overproduction of milk, was no longer required. The government had been purchasing excess milk from farmers and processing it into cheese, butter, and dehydrated milk powder. However, by the 1990s, the dairy market had stabilized, and herd buyouts had ended, reducing the need for government intervention. Additionally, President Ronald Reagan's administration had made significant changes to the federal food stamp program, which impacted the distribution of government cheese. Reagan's signing of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 led to the release of millions of pounds of stockpiled cheese by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), a government-owned corporation. This move may have contributed to the eventual discontinuation of government cheese as it addressed the surplus issue. The discontinuation of government cheese holds complex emotions for those who relied on it. It is remembered as a symbol of poverty and hardship, often evoking feelings of shame and humiliation. However, it also provided sustenance and comfort to families struggling financially. The distribution of government cheese was a notable aspect of the era, with long lines of people waiting to receive their share. The exact date of the discontinuation of government cheese is unclear, with sources indicating the late 1980s or early 1990s. However, the impact of this staple food for those in need extended beyond its discontinuation, with references to it appearing in song lyrics and popular culture, reflecting the complex emotions it evokes. You may want to see also Government cheese is processed cheese provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security in the United States, as well as to food banks and churches. Government cheese is made from a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Colby, cheese curd, or granular cheese. It is made meltable using emulsifiers and blended. Government cheese was distributed by a federal program during the 1980s recession, a time of volatile milk production. It was provided to those in need in large blocks or bricks. Government cheese was created to stabilize farm incomes and support farmers by purchasing surplus dairy products. However, the stockpiles of cheese and other dairy products became so large that the government decided to distribute them to those in need. Government cheese has been described as similar to Velveeta, but with a sharper flavor and more firm texture. It has also been likened to highly salted Cheddar. Some people enjoyed the taste, while others found it unappetizing.Blue Cheese: A Love-Hate Relationship and Alternatives
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