A community canteen in Dalian, Liaoning province, bustled with residents one morning last month, most of them elderly. They were attracted by the menu, which offered 10 dishes.

Visiting the canteen at the Haijing community in Jinpu New Area on Feb 22, Fan Ning, 69, said: "I ordered stir-fried cabbage, pork and tofu. It cost only 11 yuan ($1.50)."

She added that since the canteen opened in September, she has become used to taking the 10-minute walk from her home to eat there.

Fan expressed her gratitude for the convenience the canteen offers, particularly the affordable prices. She said that with her husband still working and her daughter living away from Dalian, she often struggled to prepare a nourishing lunch for herself at home.

"The canteen has provided a solution by offering a variety of dishes at reasonable prices, saving me the trouble of cooking," she added.

Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics show that in China the number of people who are 60 or older reached about 297 million by the end of last year, with some 217 million individuals aged 65 or older.

Survey data from the National Health Commission show that about 90 percent of the elderly in China choose home care, about 7 percent rely on community care, and some 3 percent live in institutional care.

Recognizing the significance of addressing elderly people's dining requirements, various levels of government have introduced meal assistance services for them by exploring the development of facilities such as senior canteens, dining tables for the elderly, and community canteens.

Despite the different names, the common goal is to ensure that the elderly enjoy accessible and nutritious meals.

"There is great demand for such restaurants near people's homes, as some seniors are unable or reluctant to cook three meals a day for themselves," said Xu Yang, director of the civil affairs bureau in Dalian Jinpu New Area.

Xu frequently interacts with netizens on the Douyin video-sharing platform. Her recent video about the community canteen has received nearly 300 comments, with many inquiring whether a similar canteen will be opened in their neighborhoods.

"Those who worry about whether their less-mobile parents can enjoy a hot lunch just need to contact a canteen nearby for the meals to be delivered to their home," Xu said.

Jinpu New Area is home to 24 government-supported community canteens, more than half of which provide home delivery services, ensuring that the elderly in need enjoy hot meals that are delivered quickly.

Xu said there is a commitment to further explore and establish standardized community canteens that offer traceable ingredients, ensure safety and hygiene, and maintain fair pricing.

"It is not a free meal, but an affordable and accessible service. The government should provide overall support while using market mechanisms and social forces to achieve sustainable development," she said.