Have you ever been hungry? Not just needing a bite to eat, but really, really hungry! Back in the 1950’s and 60’s it was not uncommon to see long lines at the county courthouses waiting on “commodities.” If you aren’t familiar with the term it refers to government food handouts.

To qualify you had to be among the poorest of families in the country. Mothers and Fathers, sometimes with several kids by their side, would line up on the first of each month in the county seat, waiting in hopes of receiving enough food to last a month.

Commodity packages in the 1950s and 1960s contained various foods, including

processed cheese, often compared to Velveeta or mild cheddar, It was made from surplus milk stockpiled by the government and was known for its meltability. Other products included butter, Nonfat Dry Milk also known as powdered milk, dry, ready-to-eat cereals, sometimes even pasta, rice, or instant potatoes were in commodity packages. One product that was a mysterious substance, was canned meat which had a consistency similar to mashed canned dog food. Often you would receive canned goods like beef stew, chili, chicken, salmon and other protein-rich foods. Fruits and vegetables, canned juice, dry beans, carrots, peas, flour and sugar. A staple most months was peanut butter. Struggling families, mainly those on welfare depended on the food handouts and without them many seniors and children went hungry.

The history of commodities and food stamps in the United States is a complex narrative of economic, social, and political factors. From the early 20th century, (especially during the great depression) to the present day, the U.S. government has implemented various programs to address hunger and poverty.

In the mid1960s, the U.S. government introduced the Food Stamp Program (FSP) as a pilot initiative to address hunger and malnutrition. The program allowed low-income families to purchase food stamps through a deduction in their monthly welfare check, which could be redeemed for food at participating retailers.

The FSP expanded access to food for millions of Americans, and provided essential nutrition support for vulnerable populations. In recent years, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) has continued to provide food assistance to low income families.

From the early commodities days to the modern SNAP program, the U.S. government has sought to address hunger and poverty.The importance of these programs in promoting food security remains undeniable.

While direct distribution of commodities to individuals has largely ended, the federal purchase and distribution of surplus food to institutions like food banks continues.

SNAP has consistently provided food security to school age children through free breakfast and lunch programs. Thus providing individuals and families with additional income, allowing them to allocate more resources towards essential expenses like housing, and healthcare.

The new budget bill will cut SNAP funding and push 12 million people off SNAP and take food out of the mouths of school children, disabled people and the elderly. Summer feeding programs in our schools will come to a halt. Funding for food banks will dry up and many school kids will go through the day hungry.

The “Big Beautiful Bill” is not so beautiful when it takes food and health care from the most vulnerable.

It’s not enough to put a freeze on USAID causing millions of children in Africa to die from malnutrition, this bill will cause millions right here at home to go hungry. Really, really, Hungry!