As young people migrate to cities, one hollowed out village is fighting elderly isolation and malnutrition by turning an abandoned elementary school into a free dining hall for its oldest residents
China opens free senior canteens in rural villages, converting abandoned schools to address aging and food insecurity. Policy signals growing investment in elderly-care infrastructure—opportunity for healthtech, IoT platforms, and rural community-service tech.
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Villagers over 80-years-old wait for a free meal at a senior canteen converted from an old elementary school in Dongtangzi village, Shandong province on June 7, 2026. Photo: Zheng Haipeng /Caixin
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