CANTEENS FOR SENIORS FEED DEMANDS OF AGING POPULATION

With support from central government, more dining halls for older people are being established

It's lunchtime, and the canteen in a residential community in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, is buzzing with excitement. Inside, a tempting array of freshly cooked dishes awaits the elderly residents of the neighborhood.

A message flashes across a screen as one senior enters — "Mr Chen, seafood and soy products aren't suitable for you today". Personalized reminders appear on the screen for certain residents, and offer meal suggestions based on their health data.

The canteen for seniors in Cuiyuan No 1 Community, one of the first government-subsidized dining halls for elderly people in Zhejiang, offers discounted meals and delivery services for senior residents.