"Government cheese" is a term used to describe cheese distributed by the American government as part of food assistance programs. Though the term has negative connotations, there are synonyms that can be used to refer to it in a more neutral or positive way. One such synonym could be "assistance cheese" or "welfare cheese," though these terms may carry their own negative associations. "Public cheese" or "community cheese" are alternative phrases that could be used to describe this type of cheese without implying any judgments about the people who receive it. Ultimately, the best synonym for "government cheese" may depend on the intended audience and the context in which the term is being used.