BACK TO SCHOOL Go to your child’s school and see for yourself what is being served. Pick a day and eat lunch with your child, or offer to volunteer in the lunchroom.

“One of the first indications of a good lunch program is enthusiasm among the people serving the food,” said Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition and food studies at New York University and author of “What to Eat” (North Point Press, 2007). Are the people who are making the food and serving it to the children engaged? Do they know the children’s names?

“If they take pride in their work, it will show in how they interact with the kids,” said Ms. Nestle.

Look at the quality of what is being served. Pizza can come from a fast-food distributor, or it can be made on the premises with fresh ingredients. Are there alternatives to the main entree? If a child does not like the vegetarian chili being served, for instance, is a server willing to offer the child a healthy alternative?

If you want to know more details about the school’s approach to lunch, ask to see a copy of the wellness policy. Every school district is supposed to have a policy that addresses school food, nutrition education and physical activity, Ms. Wootan said.

“You can also ask for the nutrition content of the entrees the school is serving  about half of schools track these numbers,” she added.

COACH YOUR CHILD If the school offers wholesome entrees, encourage your child to try them. Though school lunches are uneven in quality, children who eat them are more likely to drink milk and eat fruit and vegetables than those who bring their own lunch, according to data from the S.N.D.A.