R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-8-9
The department of elementary and secondary education may enter into any agreements, with any agency of the federal government, with any school board, or with any other agency or person, prescribe any regulations, employ any personnel, and take any action, that it may deem necessary to provide for the establishment, maintenance, operation, and expansion of any school lunch program, and to direct the disbursement of federal and state funds in accordance with existing provisions of the federal and state laws. The department of elementary and secondary education may give technical advice and assistance to any school board in connection with the establishment and operation of any school lunch program and may assist in training personnel engaged in the operation of these programs. The department of elementary and secondary education may accept any gift for use in connection with any school lunch program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-8-9