On February 26, it was reported that Dongcheng District in Beijing has enhanced its "15-minute senior meal assistance service network" through various models including government-enterprise collaboration, technology integration, and public welfare initiatives. The district has introduced new service models such as internet-based meal assistance and smart dining solutions, increasing the total number of operational meal sites to 168. By 2025, these sites are projected to have provided meal services cumulatively to over 780,000 individuals.
By 11:30 a.m., the "Rushixin Plant-Based Life" restaurant located in the sunken plaza of Galaxy SOHO in Chaoyangmen was fully occupied, with many elderly individuals gathered around tables, enjoying their meals while chatting. The serving area offered a wide selection of over 50 dishes for customers to choose from. Since its opening on February 5 last year, the restaurant has become a daily destination for local seniors, renowned for its healthy, affordable, and diverse menu. "The dishes are soft and easy to chew, with low salt and sugar, perfectly suited for our elderly preferences. We can choose from five types of rice, eight cold dishes, and ten hot dishes, ensuring variety," said 65-year-old Aunt Zhang with a smile, adding that Beijing residents aged 60 and above enjoy a discount of 2 yuan, making it highly cost-effective.
The restaurant manager, Ban Meirong, explained that the establishment focuses on "health preservation and public welfare," specifically creating an elderly-friendly dining environment. "Our ingredients are sourced directly from pesticide-free vegetable suppliers, eliminating middlemen to keep the buffet prices affordable," she noted. The cooking methods primarily involve steaming, boiling, stewing, and tossing, which preserve the natural flavors of the ingredients and are easy for seniors to digest. Grains like corn and sweet potato are also added to supplement dietary fiber. With affordable pricing—10 yuan for breakfast and 20 yuan for lunch and dinner—the restaurant serves 800 to 1,000 people daily, including over 100 regular elderly customers.
"With just a tap on my phone, a hot meal is delivered to my door—it's incredibly convenient," said Aunt Zhang, a resident of Longtan Street, at 10 a.m. With the help of volunteer Xiao Li, she opened the JD.com App on her phone, navigated to the Qixian Kitchen ordering page, selected the "Senior Zone" for meal assistance, chose scrambled eggs with tomatoes and tender stir-fried Guangdong cabbage, and completed the payment seamlessly using her senior meal assistance card. Within 20 minutes, a delivery person arrived with an insulated food container; the meal was still steaming when unpacked.
To address the challenges faced by seniors in accessing meals, Longtan Street has actively explored new government-enterprise collaboration models. In partnership with JD.com's Qixian Kitchen, it established the city's first registered online-exclusive senior meal assistance site, reinforcing the "15-minute service network." The service chain has been optimized to meet the specific needs of the elderly: an online "Senior Zone" accurately curates healthy and nutritious dishes suitable for older adults, leveraging the company's supply chain and digital capabilities to enable easy ordering and home delivery. Offline, payment barriers have been removed through collaboration with Beijing Rural Commercial Bank and other institutions, enabling online payment via senior and disability cards with a simplified "one-click binding" process tailored to elderly users. A "Financial Benefits for the Elderly Payment Circle" has been established in the Longtan area, offering tangible discounts to support the sustainable operation of meal sites.
JD.com's Qixian Kitchen also provides 24/7 live streaming of its kitchen operations, allowing seniors and their families to monitor the meal preparation process anytime, ensuring transparent supervision and traceable food safety. Additionally, deliveries are equipped with specialized heated containers to maintain food temperature above 70°C within 20 minutes, safeguarding the warmth and quality of meals for elderly recipients.
For seniors unfamiliar with smartphone use, community volunteers offer one-on-one guidance, assisting with everything from downloading the app to placing orders, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital service transition.
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