Successful integration policies are fair to all people and take a “two-street” approach, while simultaneously being a collaborative affair. And in a way, having a potluck is similar to creating integration policies. For instance, if everyone brings side dishes, there will not be enough food for everyone, and if someone brings food that most of the group cannot eat, then feelings will be hurt on all sides. Not only does one have to decide what dish to bring, but one must also decide how large of a dish, if there will be a theme, and what course it will fit. They represent the desire to share food with other people and make new friends, sometimes learning about other cultures in the process.
Potlucks have many names: shared community dinners, faith suppers, “bring-a-dish” dinners, etc.
