R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-8-12: Studies and appraisals of lunch programs.

The department of elementary and secondary education is authorized, to the extent that funds are available for these purposes, and in cooperation with local school boards and other appropriate organizations, to conduct studies as to methods of improving and expanding school lunch programs and promoting nutritional education in the schools, to conduct appraisals of the nutritive benefits of school lunch programs, and to report its findings from time to time to the governor.