Commodity Cheese: Understanding The Common Varieties And Their Uses

Commodity cheese, also known as government cheese, is a type of processed cheese that was provided by the US federal government to welfare beneficiaries, food stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving social security. The cheese was also distributed to food banks and churches. The US government purchased excess milk to keep prices stable, which resulted in a large stockpile of milk that was then converted into cheese to extend its shelf life. This cheese was often stored in underground warehouses, and its taste and texture were not well-regarded, with some describing it as similar to Velveeta or American cheese. While some people disliked the cheese, others recalled it fondly, associating it with comfort foods like macaroni and cheese or grilled cheese sandwiches.

Government cheese is a commodity cheese

Government cheese was controlled by the US federal government from World War II until the early 1980s. It was created to maintain dairy prices when dairy industry subsidies artificially increased milk supply, creating a surplus that was then converted into cheese, butter, or powdered milk. The cheese was bought and stored by the government's Commodity Credit Corporation and distributed across over 150 warehouses in 35 states.

Direct distribution of government cheese began in 1982 under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program. The cheese was provided monthly in unsliced blocks with generic packaging and labelling. It was often sourced from stockpiled food surpluses and provided to victims of natural disasters following emergency declarations.

Government cheese became a notable topic in the 1980s when the press highlighted the contrast between the vast amounts of stored milk products and the food insecurity faced by millions of Americans. This coincided with President Ronald Reagan's administration cutting the budget for the US federal food stamp program.

In December 1981, Reagan signed the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, authorizing the release and distribution of 560 million pounds of cheese stockpiled by the Commodity Credit Corporation to those in need through nonprofit organizations. This distribution was intended to address waste and make efficient use of the nation's resources.

Government cheese, often referred to as "gubmint cheese," holds a notable place in American culture, symbolizing class and nostalgia. It has been referenced in songs by popular artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z. Despite its removal in the 1990s with the stabilization of the dairy market, government cheese continues to evoke memories and sentiments of a bygone era.

It was controlled by the US federal government from World War II to the 1980s

Commodity cheese, or "government cheese", was controlled by the US federal government from World War II to the early 1980s.

The origins of government cheese can be traced back to the New Deal, which was implemented to help farmers during the Great Depression. In 1949, the Agricultural Act allowed a government agency to buy up dairy products to stabilize prices. The government had been stockpiling dairy products since the 1930s as part of price support programs for farmers.

During the 1970s, the US faced a dairy shortage and high inflation, which led to a 30% increase in dairy prices. In response, President Jimmy Carter's administration intervened, causing prices to fall drastically. In 1977, the government set a new subsidy policy, pouring $2 billion into the dairy industry over the next four years. This encouraged dairy farmers to produce as much milk as possible, leading to a surplus. The government purchased the excess milk and converted it into cheese, butter, and dehydrated milk powder, which were then stored in warehouses across 35 states.

By the early 1980s, the government owned over 500 million pounds of cheese, and the cost of storing this dairy surplus was becoming prohibitively expensive. The Reagan administration faced criticism from the press and the public for stockpiling cheese while millions of Americans faced food insecurity. In 1981, President Reagan signed the Agriculture and Food Act, authorizing the release of 560 million pounds of cheese from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to be distributed to those in need through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program.

The cheese was provided monthly in unsliced 5-pound blocks and was often moldy. It was distributed to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, the elderly receiving Social Security, food banks, and churches. Despite the cheese being given away for free, it was not well-received by all. For some, it was a reminder of hard times and a symbol of low socioeconomic status.

It was distributed to welfare beneficiaries and food banks

Commodity cheese, also known as "government cheese", is distributed to welfare beneficiaries and food banks. The US federal government controlled the cheese from World War II until the early 1980s. During this time, the government bought and stored cheese to maintain dairy prices and to support dairy farmers. The cheese was distributed to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, Social Security recipients, and food banks.

The distribution of commodity cheese to welfare beneficiaries and food banks began in 1982 under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program of the Food and Nutrition Service. The cheese was provided in monthly, unsliced blocks, with generic packaging and labelling. It was often from food surpluses stockpiled by the government as part of milk price support programs.

In the 1980s, the press brought attention to the large amounts of milk products being stored across the nation, while millions of Americans experienced food insecurity. This led to the signing of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, which authorised the release of 560 million pounds of cheese stockpiled by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The cheese was to be distributed for free to those in need by nonprofit organisations.

The distribution of commodity cheese continued into the 1990s, until the dairy market stabilised. Today, as part of the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), eligible seniors over the age of 60 are still provided with a block of processed cheese each month.

It was made from a variety of cheeses, emulsifiers, and curds

Commodity cheese, also known as "government cheese", is a type of processed cheese that was provided by the US federal government to various groups, including 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 created to maintain dairy prices when dairy industry subsidies artificially increased milk supply, resulting in a surplus that was converted into cheese, butter, or powdered milk.

The cheese was made from a variety of cheeses, emulsifiers, and curds. Specifically, it was produced from a combination of Cheddar cheese, Colby cheese, cheese curd, or granular cheese, with added emulsifiers to make it meltable. This blend of different cheeses and ingredients created a processed cheese product that had a long shelf life and was easy to ship and distribute.

The process of making commodity cheese was similar to that of the popular Kraft American Singles, which also contain a mixture of Colby and cheddar with curds and emulsifiers. This type of processed cheese became known simply as "American" cheese and became a staple in the 20th-century American diet due to its affordability and convenience.

The US government's commodity cheese was also noted for its meltability, as outlined in the USDA document "PCD5 Pasteurized Process American Cheese for Use in Domestic Programs." The cheese was required to have a meltability score of at least Number 3 on the AMS scale, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, nachos, and other melted cheese dishes.

The creation of commodity cheese was a result of the government's intervention in the dairy industry during a national dairy shortage in the 1970s. President Jimmy Carter invested significant funds in the industry, leading to overproduction and a surplus of cheese by the early 1980s. This surplus cheese was then distributed to the public through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), becoming known as "government cheese."

It was created to maintain the price of dairy

Commodity cheese, also known as "government cheese", is a type of cheese that was controlled by the US federal government from World War II until the early 1980s. It was created to maintain the price of dairy when dairy industry subsidies artificially increased the supply of milk, creating a surplus. This surplus milk was then converted into cheese, butter, or powdered milk and stored in over 150 warehouses across 35 states. The cheese was purchased and stored by the government's Commodity Credit Corporation.

The creation of government cheese was a response to the dairy industry subsidies that were put in place during the 1970s. At the time, the United States was experiencing a national dairy shortage, and the government intervened by subsidizing the dairy industry and encouraging production. This led to an oversupply of milk, as farmers produced more than what could be sold on the market. By the early 1980s, the government owned over 500 million pounds of cheese.

Converting the surplus milk into cheese was a way to extend its shelf life while the government searched for solutions to the problem. In 1981, then-Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block, brought a moulding five-pound block of cheese to the White House and told reporters:

> "We've got 60 million of these that the government owns... It's mouldy, it's deteriorating... we can't find a market for it, we can't sell it, and we're looking to give some of it away."

As a result, the federal government began distributing the cheese blocks for free through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This programme provided cheese to people at food banks, community centres, and other locations. Government cheese became a significant part of American culture, referenced in songs by Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z, and even used by Snoop Dogg in a cooking show with Martha Stewart.

The distribution of government cheese was also an attempt to address food insecurity in the United States. During the same time period, President Ronald Reagan's administration cut the budget for the federal food stamp program. By providing cheese to those in need, the government aimed to reduce waste and effectively utilise resources.

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