Potluck dinner
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A potluck dinner (Australia: bring-a-plate) is a gathering of people where each participant is expected to bring a dish of food to be shared among everyone in the group. These gatherings are often organized by churches, mosques and other community groups since they simplify the meal planning and distribute the costs among the participants. Smaller, more informal get-togethers may also occur in the form of potlucks.
The only traditional rule for dishes is that they be large enough to be shared among a good portion (but not necessarily all) of the anticipated guests. In the United States, casseroles are popular, often as Italian or Hispanic style dishes.
Such events can also go by the name "Jacob's join", in which each participant brings along as much food as he or she is likely to want to eat, but puts it into a common stock for the communal meal.
Another variation on potlucks is "rota" meals, short for rotation. With rota, rather than each person bringing a dish, participants take turns providing food for the entire group. For regular potlucks (e.g. daily, weekly or monthly) amongst a fairly consistent set of participants, this dramatically reduces the amount of preparation effort required. One popular and long-standing implementation of this approach can be found at Sirius, an intentional community in rural Massachusetts.
The purpose and benefits of potlucks include fun, socialising, good food, and building a healthy community. Many feel that some of the most honest and meaningful communication can occur over a dinner table.
The word potluck is sometimes erroneously thought to originate from the Native American custom of potlatch but in fact is of English origin.
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