Summary

THE ARMY HAS ADVISED US THAT A RULING BY OUR OFFICE IS STILL DESIRED SINCE THE SAME QUESTION WILL ARISE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE 1982 AND SUBSEQUENT CELEBRATIONS. WE CONCLUDE THAT SUCH AN EXPENDITURE IS PERMISSIBLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES EXPLAINED BELOW. 1981 (A COPY OF WHICH WAS INCLUDED WITH THE SUBMISSION). WE DO NOT QUESTION THE DEPUTY COMPTROLLER'S ASSERTION THAT THE GOALS OF HUMANITY WEEK ARE ENHANCED THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE OF TASTING THE FOOD OF AN UNFAMILIAR CULTURE. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT IS PERMISSIBLE TO PROVIDE THIS EXPERIENCE AT PUBLIC EXPENSE BY FURNISHING FREE MEALS OR REFRESHMENTS FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES. WE HAVE OBJECTED TO PROVIDING COFFEE AT STAFF MEETINGS (47 COMP.GEN. 657 (1968)) AND PROVIDING REFRESHMENTS TO JURORS (57 COMP.GEN. 806 (1978)) ON THE GROUND THAT THESE REFRESHMENTS ARE OF THE KIND INDIVIDUALS ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES UNDER ORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES.