Spending Guidelines Update: Food Trust Project Clarification

The University Controller’s Office has provided an important clarification regarding food trust and workshop projects that will help streamline event planning, particularly for county extension offices and 4-H camps.

Previously, guidelines were interpreted as allowing only the purchase of actual food and not the supplies needed to serve it. In partnership with the University Controller’s Office, the CBO team has worked to resolve this restriction.

Going forward, because plates and utensils are necessary to serve a meal, the purchase of basic service items (such as paper plates, cups, napkins, and plasticware) is now allowable on food trust and workshop projects associated with your events. This includes the CALS Workshop project.

Please keep in mind that these picnic-style items remain unallowable on regular state funds for general office or employee use. However, when hosting a workshop, registration-based event, or camp utilizing a food trust or workshop project, these necessary service items are now permitted.