Age Concern said yesterday's lunchtime meal was its last, because older people were not using the service as much, the cost was increasing and funding was tight.
As well, Age Concern's clients were more inclined to spend time at aerobics classes and the gym, rather than turning up for a meal.
But the end of the service has left regulars disappointed.
The organisation that became Age Concern began in 1948 in Dunedin, as the Otago Old People's Welfare Council.
Age Concern executive officer Susan Davidson said when she began at the organisation 13 years ago, meals were provided four times a week, rather than twice more recently.
''Providing meals used to be a huge focus.
''Things have changed.''
But the price of the subsidised meals on Tuesdays and Fridays was about to rise.
The provider, despite being ''wonderful'', had told the organisation it would have to increase its prices.
As well, numbers had ''fallen hugely over the years''.
There were other options for cheap meals in the city, meals were easier to prepare in the home, and the Meals on Wheels service was still available.
Another change was clients were coming to Age Concern for activities from aerobics to line dancing, rather than for meals.
Age Concern was also affected by a cut in the latest Lottery Grants Board community funding round, which hit many in the sector.
''It's a great shame for some people,'' she said.
Octagon Club facilitator Lois Mitchell said in the facility's kitchen yesterday: ''I'm quite sad, but it all comes to an end at some stage.''
The organisation had been supplying 50 meals in the past, but that had dropped to about 20.
''Things change. People don't do the same things in a club.''
There were '' more people doing exercise'' instead.
She said regulars had known the end of the service was coming, but some would be ''very disappointed''.
