Another prime example among many other particular episodes where Janeway (writers) once again denote StarFleet "Principals" in usual confusion and immense frustration to the viewer!
So tired of the Star Fleet interpreting Janeway making decisions off her rationalizations. It's like find the most illogical idea and do that one. Sometimes it's to not interfere with a cultural, unless it suits her..., unless the whole crew could benefit. Then better to let the crew starve. (What?) Or take ore from a plant because a species won't trade. Or, "don't mess with Voyager" and she will blow them up to protect her crew (with advanced weapons designed not to ever be used... because is Star Fleet policy to die first before harming(?)
As in here, don't want to offend so give away the crews food. Let them starve. Unless she rationalizes a technical reason the benefits her to save them (and then act as if she would have always done so). Confront a manual, which has no credence to a new system or guidelines, just shows how unable to perceive a new situation and act accordingly.
Half the series has this conflict. Don't use a tricorder on a burial site per Chakotay. Hey, what if your breathing in an organic lifeform... better put everyone in suites I guess. If going to play out the hypocrisy, then do it in all situations. And which is worse, Janeway explaining yet another inconsistently irrational situation, or that I have to listen to her do such in that fingernails on chalkboard voice.
Must be a benefit in being obtuse. You can't argue with an abstraction, and Janeway uses that conveniently. Adding to this, is the factor of the absurdity being delivered by someone trying to act tough. As if that must be a good manager and/or compensating for a female role. Or is it to gaslight everyone to be shamed if she's not in charge, And... why does she have to be if there are more competent Picard types that could do the best job (ah, but their males, so forget that whatever you do).
So, we get this frustration instead. We suppose that if someone was to stab Janeway she would probably be the one to apologize. That would make good Star Fleet sense afterall.