This isn’t surprising, but it is disgusting.
I work for State government and I can tell you that every time I travel, if I don’t need to pay out of pocket for a meal (like if my boss pays for it, or a free contintental breakfast comes with a hotel room), I never claim money for that meal on my travel claim. I wouldn’t dream of it.
If I didn’t have to pay out of my own pocket for the meal, why in the world would I think the taxpayers should give me money for it?
I hate to be the naysayer here but I traveled during my career too. When I was on expense account I was reimbursed for what I spent. If someone else bought me a meal, I didn't claim it.
However, when I was on a per diem, the money was mine. If my choice was to eat peanut butter and jelly in my hotel room and buy a nice box of chocolate for my wife when I got back that, was not against company policy.