11 Million Pounds Of Surplus Cheese Is Being Donated To Charity, Thanks To The USDA

Do you remember that "problem" the government reported earlier this year concerning our overabundance of cheese?The USDA claims that our cheese surplus has hit at an all-time high over the past 30 years and that the market is saturated with 1.3 billion pounds of cheddar, Swiss, and parmesan. Luckily, the government knows how to turn this inconvenience into an act of gouda will.

The USDA has purchased 11 million pounds of surplus cheese and will be distributing it to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. The plan costs $20 million, but will diminish waste, reduce hunger, and help dairy farmers in the long run. When the cheese surplus is reduced, that's dairy good news for both the market and farmers who won't have to sell their wares at rock-bottom prices.     

"We understand that the nation's dairy producers are experiencing challenges due to market conditions and that food banks continue to see strong demand for assistance," Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack said, adding that the cheese will be donated to food banks. "This commodity purchase is part of a robust, comprehensive safety net that will help reduce a cheese surplus that is at a 30-year high while at the same time, moving a high-protein food to the tables of those most in need."