Schools do a lot to teach kids good nutrition and provide nutritious school meals. Parents can support school efforts in March—National Nutrition Month—and all year long.

• Give kids food for thought. Stress how healthy breakfasts and lunches serve their minds and bodies.

• Grow a vegetable. Plant lima beans in a flowerpot. Watch them grow. Or moisten mung beans on a paper towel and watch them sprout.

• Have lunch or breakfast with kids at school. See what the meals and atmosphere are like. See if your school needs volunteer lunchroom helpers.

• Volunteer to organize a classroom tasting party to introduce students to nutritious foods they might never have tried.

• Know what’s for lunch. Get a weekly menu of school meals and discuss all the healthy choices with your kids.

• Team up with food service staff. Let them know you value the nutritious meals they provide. Ask how you can support the food service program.

• Listen to what your kids are learning at school about good nutrition. Help them use their knowledge at home.

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