Share a Feast: How Potlucks Build Community and Connection

Let’s Discuss How Sharing Food Nourishes Both Bodies and Bonds Across Generations.

Photo by Jacob McGowin on Unsplash

Potlucks have a long tradition worldwide, as described by Elizabethan playwright Thomas Nashe. He claimed that potlucks are "food provided for an unexpected or uninvited guest—the luck of the pot."

Today, we may instead describe them as communal gatherings of loving-kindness, where guests bring homemade dishes to share. But beneath the surface, potlucks represent something much deeper: a spirit of mutual aid and collective care that has sustained communities across history.

Personal Story

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Growing up in rural churches, I remember fondly how potlucks brought everyone together. After Sunday service, tables would line the gymnasium walls, loaded with countless casseroles, soups, and desserts. There was always a fresh cup of coffee or tea, and the laughter of friends and family echoed through the space.

Sometimes these gatherings doubled as fundraisers for community needs—whether to help someone repair storm damage to their home or support a young couple adopting a child. We also held chili competitions and spaghetti nights to raise funds for our youth group. Through these events, I saw firsthand how potlucks could sustain not just bodies, but whole communities.

Later, when I lived in Chattanooga, I found a similar camaraderie among local potluck and permaculture friends. Despite the fast pace of modern life, these gatherings reminded me that community and connection still thrive when people come together to share food and friendship. Inspired by those experiences, I decided to host a potluck of my own.

Brief History

The term potluck first appeared in 16th-century England, but the practice of sharing food communally spans cultures worldwide. In the United States, potlucks became popular in rural communities and churches, where they helped feed large gatherings without placing the burden on a single household. During hard times like the Great Depression, these gatherings became essential for stretching limited resources while maintaining social bonds.

Many cultures have their own versions of the potluck:

• Indigenous Potlatch Ceremonies (North America): The Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest practiced the potlatch, a ceremonial feast where wealth was redistributed within the community.

• Samaras (South Asia): Community feasts in India and Nepal often involve neighbors contributing ingredients or prepared dishes.

• Mezze (Middle East) and Tapas (Spain): These traditions of sharing small dishes foster social connection and hospitality.

• Bring-and-Share Meals (Global): From Caribbean lime gatherings to Scandinavian knytis, the principle of collective contribution is universal.

Affinity Groups

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Affinity groups—small, self-organized collectives formed around shared interests or political goals—often rely on shared meals to build trust and cohesion. Potlucks provide a space for members to connect beyond their immediate tasks, strengthening the personal bonds that sustain long-term activism. The act of preparing and sharing food fosters a sense of care and reciprocity, reinforcing the group’s commitment to mutual support.

Moreover, potlucks reflect the values that underpin many affinity groups: decentralization, collaboration, and self-reliance. By distributing the responsibility of feeding the group, potlucks embody the principle that collective action is both more sustainable and empowering than relying on a single leader or resource.

Potlucks as Mutual Aid

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While potlucks are often seen as social gatherings, their significance extends beyond food. At their core, they represent mutual aid—people coming together to support one another without hierarchy or profit. This principle is central to historical and contemporary affinity groups, where food-sharing catalyzes solidarity and resilience.

• Civil Rights Movement (United States): During the Civil Rights Movement, church basements often hosted communal meals that sustained activists. Potluck-style gatherings provided nourishment and strengthened the sense of shared purpose, helping sustain long-term organizing efforts.

• Queer and Feminist Collectives: In the 1970s and 1980s, queer communities and feminist groups frequently used potlucks as inclusive spaces where individuals could find belonging and support outside mainstream society. Sharing food became a way to create safe, welcoming environments that fostered both social connection and political organizing.

• Food Not Bombs (Global): Founded in the 1980s, Food Not Bombs is an international grassroots movement that shares free, plant-based meals as a form of protest against poverty and militarism. Operating on principles of mutual aid, volunteers source surplus food and prepare communal meals, often served in public spaces. Their approach echoes the potluck tradition—feeding both bodies and social movements through collective contribution.

• Community Kitchens and Grassroots Mutual Aid Networks: In recent years, grassroots mutual aid networks have revived the potluck spirit to address food insecurity, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Community kitchens, food-sharing networks, and solidarity fridges all operate on the principle that everyone has something to contribute, whether it’s food, labor, or logistical support.

Planning Our Potluck

Image by JM Heatherly via Canva

Several considerations went into planning the event. For one, the pandemic at the time and my lease’s occupancy limit led me to host a small gathering of around ten folks. The guest list included my coworkers, especially those who had helped me move apartments a few months earlier—they deserved the first invites!

Since it was close to Halloween, I chose a Fright Night theme and quickly curated a playlist of holiday hits (feel free to follow it for your future spooky gatherings). We coordinated dishes through group text messages, though I also created a private Facebook event and designed virtual invitations using Canva.

Dietary needs and allergies were important to consider, so I conducted a quick survey and discovered two allergies among potential attendees. With that in mind, I planned the menu to ensure there were options for everyone.

Preparing the Feast

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Potlucks are often less structured, with multiple main dishes to choose from. I prepared two hearty entrées, a charcuterie board, and a few desserts to cover all tastes and dietary preferences. Here are the highlights:

1. Hearty, Low-Heat Chili 🥣
   As the weather cools, nothing beats a bowl of chili. I made both beef and meatless versions, using beans to naturally thicken the stew without flour—making it gluten-free. You can get creative with ingredients like corn, chicken, or different spices to personalize your chili.

2. Creamy Potato Soup 🥔
   This rich and comforting soup came together with butter, flour, milk, and potatoes. To accommodate different preferences, I offered vegetarian and vegan variations, using full-fat coconut milk and blended cashews for creaminess. Bacon, cheese, sour cream, and sautéed vegetables made perfect garnishes.

3. Charcuterie Board 🧀🥖
   Inspired by the French art of charcuterie, I arranged a platter of cured meats, cheeses, nuts, and fresh vegetables—perfect for snackers. I also included plant-based options like roasted broccoli and mixed nuts, ensuring everyone could enjoy this communal centerpiece.

4. Desserts 🍪🍫🍰
   While I focused mainly on hearty foods, I couldn’t skip dessert. I whipped up classic chocolate chip cookies, rich brownies, and a creamy cheesecake—simple crowd-pleasers that rounded out the meal.

Festivities and Final Thoughts

Photo by JM Heatherly via Canva

Potlucks have evolved since Thomas Nashe’s time. No longer reserved for unexpected guests, today’s potlucks are intentional gatherings that foster fellowship, camaraderie, and mutual support. They help us navigate hard times, provide safe spaces for vulnerable communities, and remind us that abundance is possible when we share what we have.

From ancient feasts to modern grassroots movements, the potluck and its cultural equivalents have always been more than just meals. They are acts of care, cooperation, and resistance against isolation and scarcity.

Whether feeding activists at a protest, building solidarity within a marginalized community, or simply bringing neighbors together, shared meals remind us that we are strongest when we support one another. In a world increasingly shaped by individualism and inequality, the humble potluck stands as a powerful reminder of the abundance that emerges when we share what we have.

Salud to sustaining this timeless tradition! 🥂

First Published on Medium

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