Everyone makes fun of it, but that shit was sooooo damn good. My aunt and uncle got government cheese when I was really little, and I loved going over for visits and grilled cheese, lol.
I thought, "1.4 billion pounds of cheese can't be a real number, right?" Turns out, it kinda is. 1.4 billion pounds (actually generally 1.45-1.5 billion) is the amount of cheese the USDA stores in cold storage warehouses across the US. And indeed, much of that seems to be in caves in Missouri. But any particular cave probably only stores a few million pounds, although getting specific numbers is rather difficult.
I replied with this lower down then figured it might as well be a top level comment.
Here is a great YouTube video that explains not only this cheese cave, but the reason it even exists and then where we get the phrase "government cheese" from and the whole government program of propping up the dairy industry.
There’s a bunch of these huge warehouse-like caves in Missouri, some are more natural, but many have been developed. They are super valuable because of the natural climate consistency.
Is American cheese any good? TV shows seem to imply it isn't but it seems weird you wouldn't have good cheese by now
Edit: I meant cheese made/available in the US, rather than the type called "American cheese". But thanks for the answers
There's a lot of incredible American- made cheeses, usually from more local cheese makers. Wisconsin and Vermont are the most fampus for their cheeses, but every state probably has good cheesemakers and there are some pretty good national brands. But the main cheese section at your typical grocery store is mostly just mass-produced cheap cheese that is probably more what you're referring too, which is fine for most uses (e.g. cooking) but eaten alone i would describe as perfectly fine but not great. A lot of grocery stores have a nicer cheese section, but it's usually in a section of the store more with other small bites.
We have normal cheese here too. American cheese is a specific kind of cheese, the same way Swiss cheese is. If you ask me, American cheese is nasty, but we do have good cheese in America
this is madness and I would argue it's the cheeses that you buy rather than "cheese as a whole", have you ever tried any imported cheeses? the cheaper options in a US supermarket are usually Wisconsin-made imitations that are great at being a lot cheaper than the real deal but flavor wise are just watered down imitations. I can't imagine not being able to taste the nutty umami of a Parmigiano Reggiano, the bright briny-ness of a Greek Feta, what about Smoked Gouda?? tastes more like BBQ than American cheese lol
American cheese is good at being salty and creamy. It sucks in taste. Good on certain foods needing that. Burgers have been said, but I know crazies that melt a slice on a honeybun.
American cheese is just a different way to process a more shelf stable cheese. Unfortunately it loses some flavor.