INTER-AGENCY FOOD & NUTRITION POLICY ADVISORY COUNCIL

 

The Interagency Food and Nutrition Policy Advisory Council (IFNPAC) was created to find ways to overcome regulatory and policy barriers toward developing a strong, sustainable food economy and healthful nutrition practices. Since the publication of the 2017 State Food Strategy Relish Rhody, IFNPAC has served as a coordinating agency to drive outcomes toward the Food Strategy in partnership with the Director of Food Strategy, staffed at Rhode Island Commerce. Supporting the growth of the local food sector through meaningful regulatory and policy initiatives is critical to increasing the number of jobs, growing the local economy, and ensuring positive health outcomes.

Under Rhode Island General Laws 21-36-3, IFNPAC membership is made up of the Directors, or their designee, from the following organizations:

  • Department of Health (RIDOH)
  • Department of Environmental Management (DEM)
  • Department of Administration (DOA)
  • Department of Human Services (DHS)
  • Office of Healthy Aging (OHA)
  • Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE)
  • Department of Corrections (DOC)
  • Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
  • Executive Office of Commerce (EOC)

Administrators and directors from other State agencies and community-based organizations often participate, including representation from the leadership of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC), the Rhode Island Community Food Bank (RICFB), Farm Fresh Rhode Island (FFRI) and many others.

All meetings are open to the public.

Logos - IFNPAC

2025 Meetings

All meetings are open to the public on zoom and in person. Council members are required to attend in person. 

Quarter 2 - June 10, 2025

  • Location: RI Commerce, 315 Iron Horse Way, Providence, RI 02908
  • Time: 9:30-11:00 AM
  • Zoom: Click the link here to join | Meeting ID: 825 4675 7659 | Passcode: 751439

Quarter 3 - September 9, 2025 

  • Location: RI Commerce, 315 Iron Horse Way, Providence, RI 02908
  • Time: 9:30-11:00 AM
  • Zoom: Click the link here to join | Meeting ID: 871 9637 3353 | Passcode: 156304

Quarter 4 - December 9, 2025

  • Location: RI Commerce, 315 Iron Horse Way, Providence, RI 02908
  • Time: 9:30-11:00 AM
  • Zoom: Click the link here to join | Meeting ID: 893 5551 2919 | Passcode: 919150

IFNPAC Reports, Minutes & Presentations

To view this on the Secretary of State's webpage, click here.

 


Current Council Members

As stated in the statute the council is composed of nine members that are either state agency's directors or the director's designee. 

Department of Environmental Management (DEM)

Chair, Terry Gray, Director

Ken Ayars, Chief of Agriculture

Department of Health (RIDOH)

Randi Belhumeur, Health Program Administrator

Executive Office of Commerce (EOC)

Georgina Sarpong, Director of Food Strategy

Department of Education (RIDE)

Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, Director, Office of School Health & Wellness

 

Department of Administration (DOA) 

Max Righter, Chief Procurement Specialist

Department of Corrections (DOC)

Terrence McNamara, Administrator Physical Resources 

Office of Healthy Aging (OHA)

Maria Cimini, Director

Department of Human Services (DHS)

Jenna Simeone, Assistant SNAP Administrator

Department of Children Youth & Families (DCYF)

Brandi DiDino, Deputy Director