Volunteers help a senior resident order a meal at a community canteen in Lanzhou. [Photo/Lanzhou Daily]

To address the pressing issue of meal preparation and accessibility for the elderly residents, Lanzhou has been promoting community-based elderly dining services. 

As of 2025, construction has been completed on 50 embedded community elderly dining facilities, adding over 11,000 square meters of service space. These facilities now provide over 7 million dining services annually, supporting thousands of households.

In the Xinweilu community of Xigu district, where nearly half of the residents are elderly residents, the community identified a strong need for a shared dining space. This initiative was prioritized as a key project, with residents involved in every step, from site selection to pricing. Today, the canteen not only offers nutritious and balanced meals but also provides doorstep delivery services for those with limited mobility.

Lanzhou has pioneered various operational models, including an integrated system of central kitchens supplying community canteens and neighborhood meal stations, to reduce costs through centralized operations. In Anning district, eight canteens have been established. Using a central kitchen for unified preparation and distribution, these canteens are both more efficient and better at maintaining consistent food quality.

Qilihe district has used technology to improve its dining services. Smart payment systems enable facial recognition and automated weighing, while AI cooking robots ensure efficient service and consistent flavors. To date, 13 smart dining locations have been set up across multiple subdistricts and communities in the district.

While primarily serving the elderly residents, these community canteens are also open to all residents at affordable prices, steadily becoming a heartwarming symbol of Lanzhou's commitment to community care.