Kamil Perry
Government cheese is a commodity cheese that was controlled by the US federal government from World War II to the early 1980s. It was a byproduct of maintaining an artificially high (and stabilised) price of milk through dairy industry subsidies, which produced a surplus that was in turn converted into cheese, butter, and powdered milk. In the early 1980s, the US government distributed some 300 million pounds of pungent-smelling processed cheese, which was provided in the form of a five-pound block of shelf-stable orange cheese in a rectangular box with USDA stamps all over it. The cheese was distributed to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security, as well as to food banks and churches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shape | Rectangular brick |
| Colour | Orange |
| Size | 5-pound block |
| Packaging | Generic product labelling and packaging |
| Slicing | Slices well |
| Melting | Melts well |
| Nutritional information | 9 g of total fat content, 6 g of saturated fat, 30 mg of cholesterol, and 380 mg of sodium per serving |
| Serving size | 1 ounce (28 g) or two slices |
| Flavour | Mild cheddar, Velveeta cheese, or pasteurized process American cheese |
| Distribution | Monthly |
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What You'll Learn
- Government cheese is distributed to people in poverty, food banks, and churches
- It is a brick-shaped, orange block of cheese in a rectangular box
- The cheese is made from federal dairy subsidies, which created a surplus
- Government cheese is high in fat and cholesterol
- It has been described as tasting like mild cheddar or Velveeta
Government cheese is distributed to people in poverty, food banks, and churches
Government cheese is a commodity cheese that was controlled by the US federal government from World War II to the early 1980s. 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. This surplus cheese was then distributed to people in poverty, food banks, and churches.
In the early 1980s, the US government distributed some 300 million pounds of pungent-smelling processed cheese that had been produced with federal funds. This cheese was provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. It was also distributed to food banks and churches. The cheese was often from food surpluses stockpiled by the government as part of milk price support initiatives.
The cheese was provided monthly, in unsliced block form, with generic product labelling and packaging. It was usually a five-pound block of shelf-stable orange cheese in a rectangular box with USDA stamps all over it. The nutritional information for government cheese suggests a serving size of 1 ounce (28 g), or two slices, of cheese per serving. It also notes that the nutritional information represents the average nutritional value of "Processed American cheese" which was offered by the commodity food program. Per serving, the total fat content is 9 g, of which 6 g are saturated fat. Per serving, there are 30 mg of cholesterol and 380 mg of sodium.
Government cheese has been described as brick-shaped and Dayglo orange. It has been compared to mild cheddar, Velveeta, and deluxe American cheese in terms of taste and texture. Some people have fond memories of eating government cheese, while others associate it with financial hardship and shame. It has been referred to as a "luxury" item and a source of comfort for those facing food insecurity.
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It is a brick-shaped, orange block of cheese in a rectangular box
Government cheese is a brick-shaped, orange block of cheese in a rectangular box. It is a commodity cheese that was controlled by the US federal government from World War II until the early 1980s. The cheese was bought and stored by the government's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), a government-owned corporation dedicated to stabilising farm incomes.
The brick-shaped, orange block of cheese was 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 also used in military kitchens during World War II and has been used in schools since the 1950s.
The cheese was distributed in a rectangular box with USDA stamps all over it. It is described as having a "Dayglo orange" colour and a pungent smell. The nutritional information for government cheese represents the average nutritional value of "Processed American cheese", with a serving size of 1 ounce (28 g), or two slices, containing 9 g of total fat, of which 6 g is saturated fat.
Government cheese has been the subject of nostalgia and complicated emotions for those who relied on it, serving as a source of sustenance and comfort, while also being a clear indicator of financial hardship. Some people recall it fondly, remembering the grilled cheese sandwiches they made with it, while others recall feeling embarrassed when peers saw it in their lunch boxes or refrigerators.
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The cheese is made from federal dairy subsidies, which created a surplus
The concept of "government cheese" has a long history in the United States, dating back to the mid-20th century. Government cheese is a product of federal dairy subsidies, which created a surplus of dairy products, particularly cheese. This cheese was then distributed to various beneficiaries, including welfare recipients, food stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving social security. The story of government cheese began in 1949 with the Agricultural Act, which gave the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) the authority to purchase dairy products from farmers.
The CCC, a government-owned corporation, played a crucial role in stabilizing farm incomes and supporting farmers. However, in the 1970s, the dairy industry faced a crisis due to an unprecedented shortage of dairy products, which led to a 30% increase in dairy prices. In response, the government intervened, and prices dropped significantly, causing discontent within the industry. To address this issue, the government, under President Jimmy Carter, implemented a new subsidy policy that injected $2 billion into the dairy industry over four years. This substantial investment contributed to the surplus of dairy products that would eventually be converted into government cheese.
The surplus cheese was often stored and distributed in block form, with generic packaging and labeling. It was provided to beneficiaries on a monthly basis. The cheese was also distributed to food banks, churches, and schools, in addition to its direct allocation to individuals. The cheese had a distinctive appearance, often described as orange and brick-shaped, and was sometimes referred to as "surplus cheese." While it was a source of sustenance for many, it also carried a stigma, serving as an indicator of one's financial situation.
The distribution of government cheese became particularly notable in the early 1980s, when the Reagan administration faced criticism for its handling of the surplus. During this time, the government distributed approximately 300 million pounds of processed cheese, produced with federal funds. The cheese was also known as "pasteurized process American cheese" or simply processed cheese. Despite the mixed opinions on its taste and quality, government cheese holds a place in American culture, even making its way into song lyrics and television shows.
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Government cheese is high in fat and cholesterol
Government cheese is a commodity cheese that was controlled by the US federal government from World War II to the early 1980s. 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 cheese is distributed to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security, as well as to food banks and churches. It is also provided to victims of natural disasters following a state of emergency declaration. The cheese is often from food surpluses stockpiled by the government and is stored in "Missouri cheese caves" and over 150 warehouses across 35 states.
Government cheese has been described as brick-shaped and Dayglo orange, with a pungent smell. It has been compared to mild cheddar, Velveeta, and deluxe American cheese in terms of taste and texture. While some people enjoyed the taste, others felt ashamed to have it in their homes due to its association with low socioeconomic status.
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It has been described as tasting like mild cheddar or Velveeta
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. In the early 1980s, the US government distributed about 300 million pounds of pungent-smelling processed cheese. It was produced with federal funds and was a byproduct of maintaining an artificially high (and stabilized) price of milk through dairy industry subsidies. This resulted in a surplus that was converted into cheese, butter, and powdered milk.
The flavour of government cheese has been described as ranging from mild cheddar to Velveeta cheese, with some people expressing positive and negative opinions about its taste. It has been referred to as "pasteurized process American cheese" or "cheese food." The cheese was provided in large blocks, and its colour has been described as orange or white. Some people who received it during their childhood have described it as a "luxury" item and a source of comfort.
The distribution of government cheese became a topic of discussion in the 1980s, as the press learned about the milk products being stockpiled while many Americans faced food insecurity. The cheese was often stored in "Missouri cheese caves," underground warehouses in the Midwestern state of Missouri, and other facilities across the country.
As of 2022, eligible seniors over the age of 60 are provided with a 32-ounce block of processed cheese food each month through the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). This program aims to tackle food insecurity and provide stability in the marketplace.
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Frequently asked questions
Government cheese is distributed in a rectangular box with USDA stamps on it. The cheese itself is orange and brick-shaped.
Government cheese is typically distributed in five-pound blocks. However, as part of the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), eligible seniors over the age of 60 are provided with one 32-ounce (910 g) block of cheese each month.
Government cheese has been compared to mild cheddar, Velveeta cheese, and Land O Lakes yellow American cheese. Some people have also said that it tastes like deluxe American cheese, which is made with almost all curd.
Government cheese is provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security in the United States. It is also distributed to food banks and churches.
