Reference News Network July 30 report, Spain's "El Confidencial" website published an article titled "Entering China's Community Canteens: Different from What You Imagine" on July 27. The reporter is Fran Sánchez Beseeril. The following is the translated text:

In recent years, in many cities in China, especially large metropolises like Shanghai, a large number of public dining spaces known as "community canteens" have emerged. These open-to-the-public venues aim to address many challenges faced by contemporary society: the fast-paced urban life, aging population, and the need to strengthen community residents' connections.

Currently, the main service recipients of community canteens include the elderly, migrant workers, and residents of nearby communities. Thanks to public subsidies and cooperation with private suppliers, these canteens can provide nutritionally balanced, affordable meals that adapt to diverse dietary needs.

Besides providing food services, these places also serve as social and gathering spaces. In the context where many elderly people live alone and are far from their families, community canteens form an informal social support network, allowing them to accompany each other and engage in daily activities. For migrant workers, community canteens also offer healthy and affordable dining options, serving as an ideal alternative to fast food.

These canteens are usually operated jointly by local, community, and corporate parties, and are seen as part of measures to improve social welfare and actively respond to the aging population. Statistical data show that there are more than 6,000 operating entities of various types of community canteens in China. Shanghai alone has more than 300 "Community Senior Citizens' Canteens".

To gain a deeper understanding of these community canteens, we visited the Tushanwan Community Senior Citizens' Canteen located in Xuhui District of Shanghai. Its main service recipients are residents of the community, although others can also dine at this canteen.

This three-story resident service center also includes various other spaces: a community health station, a vegetable market, a hair salon, a daycare, a legal aid station, and a study room.

The community health station is one of the most important facilities in the center, offering a variety of basic medical services. Family doctors and nurses conduct routine checks for residents, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate, and weight. Residents can also receive advice on chronic disease monitoring, disease prevention, medication use, and healthy lifestyle habits. If any serious issues are found, patients will be referred to larger local hospitals.

The legal aid station located in a reading room provides residents with legal consultation services. These services are typically provided by volunteer lawyers, staff from relevant institutions, or law students. They explain things in clear and easy-to-understand language to help residents.

There is also a small hair salon where the elderly only need to pay a small fee to get a haircut, shave, or receive simple massage.

Naturally, the canteen is the soul of this resident service center. It looks like a university cafeteria, with a spacious restaurant that has dozens of tables and a counter for ordering meals.

Although the meals are simple, they are fresh and delicious. What truly surprises is the price, with a steamed bun dish costing just a few yuan. Certain groups, such as the elderly, can enjoy special discounts.

In this canteen, you can clearly feel a harmonious atmosphere among elderly residents, mothers with children, and migrant workers. Community canteens are not just places for dining, but also spaces for communication that can break down generational and social barriers, as well as social places for sharing experiences and laughter, and enjoying each other's company. (Translated by Tian Ce)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7532699350502310409/

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