The 2025 service quality results of community canteens for elderly residents in Shanghai were released by the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau this week, with an average score of 87.7 points at the "good" level.

The score went up by 1.3 points compared with 2024, showing the overall service quality steadily increasing, said the authority.

Such canteens are government-subsidized ones within residential compounds that provide affordable, nutritionally balanced meals primarily to elderly residents.

Among 435 canteens involved in the evaluations, 130 were rated "excellent", while 280 received the grade "good", accounting for roughly 30 percent and 64 percent, respectively.

Starting from 2023, the bureau has conducted evaluations of service quality of such canteens citywide annually, covering aspects from recipe design and ingredient selection to food processing and the cleaning of kitchenware.

Upgrades that tailor to the diversified needs of elderly residents were also emphasized in the assessments. Factors included the introduction of barrier-free infrastructure, specific meals like a salt-reduced diet, and priority for the elderly throughout services.

Based on the evaluation results, the bureau will provide feedback to all the canteens, guiding them in rectifying problems and improving service standards.

Cui Chuandong contributed to this story.