Bushra Griffith
Government cheese is a commodity cheese that was controlled by the US federal government from World War II to the early 1980s. It was provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security, as well as to food banks and churches. The cheese was distributed in large blocks, with generic product labelling and packaging. In terms of appearance, it has been described as a long brick of generic quality Velveeta, with a mild cheddar or Velveeta flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | 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. |
| History | The Agricultural Act of 1949 gave the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), a government-owned corporation dedicated to stabilizing farm incomes, the authority to purchase dairy products like cheese from farmers. |
| Flavour | Compared to mild cheddar or Velveeta cheese. Opinions on the flavour vary. |
| Nutritional Information | Serving size: 1 ounce (28 g) or two slices. Total fat content: 9 g, of which 6 g are saturated fat. 30 mg of cholesterol and 380 mg of sodium per serving. |
| Weight | 32-ounce blocks. |
| Storage | Stored in "<co: 0,10,11,14,17>Missouri cheese caves", underground warehouses in and around the Midwestern state of Missouri. |
| Distribution | Distributed to eligible seniors over the age of 60 as part of the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Also distributed to victims of natural disasters. |
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What You'll Learn
Government cheese was stored in Missouri cheese caves
Missouri, also known as "The Cave State", is known for its abundant and porous limestone caves, with more than 7,000 caves in the state. In the 1980s, the federal government was faced with a surplus of cheese, a byproduct of maintaining an artificially high price of milk through dairy industry subsidies. This led to the government storing cheese in various warehouses and caves across the country, including in Missouri.
The government's surplus of cheese in the 1980s was a result of policies enacted by President Jimmy Carter in 1977 to support the dairy industry, which had been struggling due to the energy crisis and tanking economy in the 1970s. The government purchased milk that dairy farmers couldn't sell and began to process it into cheese, butter, and dehydrated milk powder. As a result of these policies, dairy farmers began to produce more and more milk, leading to a ballooning of stockpiles.
By the early 1980s, the government owned over 500 million pounds of cheese, with some sources estimating the number to be as high as 1.4 billion pounds. The cheese was stored in over 150 warehouses across 35 states, including the caves in Missouri. The caves in Missouri were likely used for storage due to their convenient location near Kansas City, where the USDA has a large presence, and their ability to provide safe, climate-controlled storage.
The cheese stored in these caves was part of the government's strategic food reserve, intended to be used in the event of unexpected surges in demand or crises. It was also distributed to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security, as well as to food banks and churches. The cheese was provided in monthly, unsliced block form, with generic product labeling and packaging. The flavor of government cheese has been described as ranging from mild cheddar to Velveeta cheese, and it has been associated with both positive and negative memories for those who consumed it.
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The cheese was distributed in 32-ounce blocks
The 32-ounce blocks were typically provided to families or larger households, as this amount was considered suitable to support a family's nutritional needs and provide a source of protein and calcium. The blocks were often cut into smaller portions or slices by the recipients, allowing for flexibility in usage and consumption. This cheese could be incorporated into a variety of dishes, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, or simply enjoyed on its own. Its mild flavor and versatility made it a staple food item for many families, especially those facing economic challenges.
The distribution of cheese in 32-ounce blocks also reduced packaging waste and streamlined the production process. By using a standard size, manufacturers could optimize the cutting and wrapping processes, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency. This large block size also reduced the overall packaging material required, as it minimized the surface area-to-volume ratio, resulting in cost savings for the government and a more environmentally friendly approach.
Additionally, the 32-ounce blocks were often a part of a larger food package provided by the government. These packages typically included other essential food items such as grains, proteins, and canned goods. The cheese, with its long shelf life and nutritional value, complemented these packages, providing a source of dairy and contributing to a more balanced diet for those in need. The standardized block size ensured that it could be easily incorporated into these packages, facilitating efficient distribution and storage.
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It was compared to mild cheddar or Velveeta cheese
The flavour of government cheese has been compared to mild cheddar or Velveeta cheese. This processed cheese was used in military kitchens during World War II and has been used in schools since the 1950s. It was also 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.
The cheese was bought and stored by the government's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), a government-owned corporation dedicated to stabilizing farm incomes. The Agricultural Act of 1949 gave the CCC the authority to purchase dairy products like cheese from farmers. The CCC had been around since the Great Depression, when it was created as part of the New Deal's attempt to stabilize prices and help farmers.
During the 1970s, the American economy was in a downturn, and there was a crisis of an unprecedented shortage of dairy products. Dairy prices shot up 30% as the price of other foods inflated. In 1977, under President Jimmy Carter, the government set a new subsidy policy that poured $2 billion into the dairy industry in just four years. Dairy farmers who had been struggling were now flush with cash and began to produce as much milk as they could to take advantage of the government support.
The government purchased the milk that dairy farmers couldn't sell and began to process it into cheese, butter, and dehydrated milk powder. As a result, stockpiles of cheese and other dairy products ballooned. By the early 1980s, the government owned over 500 million pounds of cheese, and the cheese had to be stored in hundreds of warehouses across 35 states. The cheese was often from food surpluses stockpiled by the government as part of milk price supports.
The cheese was provided monthly, in unsliced block form, with generic product labelling and packaging. It was said to "slice and melt well." Some people have fond memories of the taste of government cheese, while others did not enjoy it as much. However, affinity for government cheese is correlated with low socioeconomic status, as this was the demographic that was most likely to receive and consume it.
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The cheese was made from stockpiled dairy products
The US government has a long history of involvement in the dairy industry, dating back to the Agricultural Act of 1949, which gave the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) the authority to purchase dairy products like cheese from farmers. The CCC, created as part of the New Deal during the Great Depression, aimed to stabilize prices and support farmers by buying agricultural products on a large scale. This intervention led to the government accumulating vast amounts of cheese, butter, and dehydrated milk powder, which were stockpiled in warehouses across the country.
The cheese that came to be known as "government cheese" was a byproduct of the government's efforts to maintain an artificially high and stable price of milk through dairy industry subsidies. This support for dairy farmers resulted in a surplus of milk, which was then converted into cheese to extend its shelf life. By the early 1980s, the government owned over 500 million pounds of cheese, and the challenge of managing and distributing this enormous stockpile became increasingly urgent.
The cheese was stored in hundreds of warehouses across 35 states, creating a strategic federal food reserve. The stockpiled cheese served multiple purposes, including providing support to those in need, such as welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. It was also distributed to food banks, churches, and military kitchens during World War II. The cheese was provided in monthly allocations, typically in unsliced block form, with generic packaging and labeling.
The taste and quality of government cheese have been a subject of varying opinions, with some reminiscing about its flavor fondly, while others compare it to processed American cheese or Velveeta. Despite the mixed reviews, government cheese became an important part of the food landscape, particularly for those facing food insecurity. The story of government cheese highlights the complexities of government intervention in the dairy industry and the ongoing challenges of managing surplus food products.
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Government cheese was distributed to food banks
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. It was a byproduct of maintaining an artificially high (and stabilized) price of milk through dairy industry subsidies, which produced a surplus that was in turn converted into cheese, butter, and powdered milk. The excess after designated uses was stored in over 150 warehouses across 35 states, creating a strategic Federal food reserve available for unexpected surges in demand (such as disaster relief) and crises (such as potential nuclear conflict during the Cold War).
The cheese was bought and stored by the government's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Direct distribution of dairy products began in 1982 under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program of the Food and Nutrition Service. According to the government, it "slices and melts well." The cheese was provided monthly, in unsliced block form, with generic product labelling and packaging. The cheese was often from food surpluses stockpiled by the government as part of milk price support. Butter was also stockpiled and then provided under the same program.
As of 2022, eligible seniors over the age of 60 are provided with one 32-ounce (910 g) block of processed cheese food each month, supplied by participating dairies.
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Frequently asked questions
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 distributed in a block form, with generic product labelling and packaging. It is said to look like a long brick, about 2"x2"x8".
The flavour of government cheese has been compared to mild cheddar or Velveeta cheese. Some people reminisce about the flavour of government cheese, both good and bad.
The US government intervenes in the dairy market to stabilise prices and help farmers. The government purchases excess dairy products from farmers to maintain an artificially high and stabilised price of milk. This results in a surplus of dairy products, which is then distributed to those in need.
The US government stores cheese in \"Missouri cheese caves", underground warehouses for storing and ageing cheese in and around the Midwestern state of Missouri.
