Randy Chandler
Government cheese is a monthly provision of processed cheese provided to low-income senior citizens, food banks, and churches. It is also distributed to victims of natural disasters. The cheese is stored in Missouri cheese caves, underground warehouses in the Midwestern state of Missouri. The flavour of government cheese has been described as similar to mild cheddar or Velveeta cheese, with a waxy consistency. While some people dislike its taste, others have fond memories of it, considering it a cornerstone of survival.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutritional information | Average nutritional value of "Processed American cheese" |
| Serving size | 1 ounce (28 g) or two slices |
| Total fat content | 9 g |
| Saturated fat content | 6 g |
| Cholesterol | 30 mg |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
| Taste | Mild cheddar, Velveeta cheese, or medium cheddar |
| Texture | Waxy |
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What You'll Learn
Government cheese is distributed to low-income seniors, food banks, and churches
Government cheese is a monthly provision for low-income seniors, food banks, and churches. It is a part of the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Seniors over 60 years of age are provided with a 32-ounce block of processed cheese. The cheese is stored in "Missouri cheese caves", underground warehouses in the Midwestern state of Missouri.
Government cheese has been described as having a "really waxy consistency", and its flavour has been compared to mild cheddar, Velveeta cheese, or processed American cheese. Some people have expressed negative opinions about the taste, describing it as "bland" and "junk food", while others have fond memories of it, considering it a cornerstone of survival.
The cheese is a byproduct of the US federal government's efforts to maintain an artificially high and stabilized milk price through dairy industry subsidies, which resulted in a surplus of dairy products. This surplus was converted into cheese, butter, and powdered milk, with the excess being stored in warehouses across 35 states. The direct distribution of dairy products, including government cheese, began in 1982 under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Government cheese has been a part of monthly food boxes distributed to low-income seniors, providing a sense of autonomy and power over their daily survival. It is also provided to food banks and churches, ensuring that those in need have access to this essential source of nutrition.
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It's said to taste like mild cheddar or Velveeta cheese
Government cheese is a monthly provision for welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security in the United States. It is also distributed to food banks, churches, and victims of natural disasters. This processed cheese is said to taste like mild cheddar or Velveeta cheese, with a waxy texture. It is similar to any processed cheese product found in grocery stores, but in bulk.
The taste of government cheese has been described as bland and lacking in any characteristics that would make a cheese interesting. However, others have expressed a liking for it, with some considering it a cornerstone of survival. It is often associated with nostalgia and complicated emotions for those who relied on it.
The cheese is provided in 32-ounce blocks, and its nutritional information is comparable to that of processed American cheese. It has a high-fat content, with 9 grams of total fat and 6 grams of saturated fat per serving (28 grams or two slices).
Government cheese has a long history in the United States, dating back to World War II when it was used in military kitchens. It was also distributed in schools from the 1950s and became a prominent topic in the press during the 1980s due to the large stockpiles of dairy products being stored by the government.
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The cheese has been described as having a waxy texture
Government cheese is a monthly provision of processed cheese given to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security in the United States. It is also distributed to food banks, churches, and victims of natural disasters. The cheese is stored in "Missouri cheese caves", underground warehouses in and around the Midwestern state of Missouri.
Some people have expressed positive opinions about the taste of government cheese, while others have described it as having a "really waxy consistency." It has been described as a "staple" that provided a sense of "autonomy and power" over daily sustenance, with its versatility allowing for a range of choices within a limited menu.
The nutritional information for government cheese, per serving (1 ounce or 28 grams, or two slices), includes 9 grams of total fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 30 mg of cholesterol, and 380 mg of sodium.
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It's been called junk food with little nutritional value
Government cheese is a monthly provision for welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security in the United States. It is also distributed to food banks and churches and in the event of a natural disaster.
Government cheese has been described as junk food with little nutritional value. One source notes that their mother threw it out because she considered it junk food with almost no nutritional value. However, another source notes that while there is little nutritional value, it is a cornerstone of survival for those who receive it.
The cheese is said to be similar to any processed cheese product found in grocery stores, but it comes in bulk. It has been described as having a waxy consistency and a mild cheddar to Velveeta taste. The nutritional information for a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving size of government cheese includes 9 grams of total fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, and 380 milligrams of sodium.
The cheese is provided in unsliced blocks, with generic product labeling and packaging. It is stored in "Missouri cheese caves," underground warehouses in and around the Midwestern state of Missouri.
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Government cheese is also known as surplus cheese
Government cheese is also known as "surplus cheese". This name arose from the fact that the US government had tons of cheese stockpiled as a result of price-support programs and economic initiatives intended to benefit farmers and food producers. In the early 1980s, the US government had a lot of cheese to dispose of, and so they began distributing it to people in need.
The cheese was provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. It was also distributed to food banks and churches and used in military kitchens and schools. Government cheese was often from food surpluses stockpiled by the government as part of milk price support initiatives. The cheese was bought and stored by the government's Commodity Credit Corporation and provided monthly in unsliced block form.
The taste of government cheese has been described as similar to processed cheese products found in grocery stores, with a waxy consistency. Some have compared the flavour to mild cheddar or Velveeta cheese, while others have found it bland and lacking in interesting characteristics. Despite the varying opinions on its taste, government cheese holds a significant place in the lives of those who relied on it, evoking complicated emotions and nostalgia.
Government cheese continues to be distributed as part of the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). As of 2022, eligible seniors over 60 receive a 32-ounce block of processed cheese food each month. Much of this government cheese is stored in "Missouri cheese caves", underground warehouses in and around the Midwestern state.
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Frequently asked questions
Opinions vary on the taste of government cheese. Some people have described it as bland, while others have said it tastes good. The flavour has been compared to mild cheddar or Velveeta cheese. It has also been described as having a waxy consistency.
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.
The US federal government controlled the distribution of government cheese from World War II to the early 1980s. It is still distributed today as part of the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
The US government maintained an artificially high and stabilized price of milk through dairy industry subsidies, which produced a surplus of milk that was converted into cheese, butter, and powdered milk. The excess was stored in warehouses, creating a strategic Federal food reserve.
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 as part of the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
