History Uncovered Episode 143 - The Story Behind America's "Government Cheese" And The Massive Caves Used To Store It
Jul 9, 2025
Discover the surprising origins of government cheese amid a 1970s dairy crisis. Learn about the massive subsidies that led to a cheese surplus and how it became a staple for low-income families. The podcast highlights the quirky connection between U.S. policies and the dairy industry, including the 'Got Milk?' campaign. Uncover the history of cheese storage caves and the humorous, unintended consequences of promoting cheese in food assistance programs. Dive into the cultural implications of these unique government initiatives!
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Dairy Subsidy Backfires With Surplus
- The government's $2 billion subsidy for dairy in the 1970s caused massive milk production and price stabilization initially.
- The program became too successful, resulting in a huge dairy surplus by the early 1980s.
Government Cheese Distribution Program
- The Reagan administration distributed surplus government cheese to low-income Americans via TFAP.
- Around 60 million five-pound cheese blocks helped needy families but raised health concerns.
Nixon's Dairy Industry Scandal
- Nixon's Milk Money Scandal involved illegal dairy lobby donations to his campaign.
- These donations influenced policies that raised price support for the dairy industry.
