Food is a key foundation to people's happiness at all ages. With 2.59 million citizens over 60-years-old - nearly one quarter of its population - Tianjin is strengthening this foundation by offering inexpensive, nutritious food services to those seniors in need.

By the end of last year it had launched 1,565 canteens for senior citizens, with each meal costing an average of 15 yuan ($2.2) per person.

A community in Tianjin's Hexi district started offering meals for 80 senior residents in the area, with 30 of them delivered to those in need.

The canteens will be granted a government subsidy of 2 yuan per person having food there.

"Four dishes - two vegetarian and two meat - are in service, costing an average of 15 yuan," said a community canteen staff member.

"We have also made efforts in guaranteeing the food safety and management of the 1,565 elderly canteens in Tianjin," said Meng Hua, deputy director of food safety department in 

Tianjin Administration for Market Regulation.

In addition to providing meals for the elderly in nursing homes, daily meals of 22 yuan per meal or 3 yuan, 5 yuan, 7 yuan, and 9 yuan per dish are also provided by some canteens for the elderly in the surrounding residential areas.

"The canteen for the elderly fits our requirements very well. I am a 100 percent supporter. From the beginning, I came here to buy food every day," a senior citizen said.

And canteen services aren't the only affordable meal program to debut in Tianjin this year. The first free food and delivery service was offered at the Guan'gang No 1 Community in Binhai New Area starting in March.