Young Chinese turn to government-funded canteens for the elderly amid food safety scandals and the rising cost of meals
For months, Li Fafa has been seeing elderly people entering an alleyway near her workplace every day at noon, and leaving with full boxes of takeout. One day this July, the 28-year-old couldn’t resist following their lead.
Now, Li, who works in a study abroad agency, joins these seniors for lunch every day in the Dongdaqiao Community Canteen, which she describes as a “hidden gem.” Also eating alongside them are other people from all walks of life in this neighborhood in Beijing’s Chaoyang district, who, like Li, are pressed for time to cook or fed up with greasy takeaway options. They are increasingly turning to government-run canteens for the elderly for affordable and healthy meals—with some also discovering, to their delight, a closer connection with their community.
Li was impressed by the cheap yet nutritious food options in the canteen. A meal there costs her only around 15 yuan, whereas she used to spend an average of 30 yuan ordering takeout for lunch. “It’s cheaper than eating out and the menu changes every day,” she tells TWOC. “Through the cafeteria window, I can see the cook preparing dishes so I felt quite reassured [about food safety].”
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