Dietary Needs & Potluck Meals

Sharing food is one of the core ways our community connects at Deeply Rooted. Most of our meals are potluck style, which means everyone is invited to bring a dish to share. This keeps costs manageable for all of us and creates a table full of variety, creativity, and care.

This page is especially for first-time visitors and anyone with dietary needs, allergies, or medical considerations around food.

What Is a Potluck?

A potluck is a shared meal where each person or household brings something to contribute. At Deeply Rooted, this usually looks like:

  • A main dish, side, snack, or dessert brought from home

  • Dishes set out on a communal table after ritual or during mealtimes

  • Everyone helping themselves to what works for their body and needs

You are never judged on what you bring. Simple is fine. Store-bought is fine. Your presence matters more than how fancy your dish is.

Off-Grid Food Storage: What That Means for You

Deeply Rooted is off the electrical grid, which means:

  • There is no full-size refrigerator for communal use

  • Power is limited, and cooling is not guaranteed

  • Perishable foods must be kept cold in your own cooler with ice

If you are bringing:

  • Meat, dairy, eggs, mayonnaise-based dishes, or other perishable items → Please keep them in a cooler with ice or ice packs until serving time.

Dishes that tend to hold up well in this environment include:

  • Bean dishes

  • Vegetable-based casseroles

  • Pasta and grain salads

  • Root vegetables and hearty stews

If you are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-sensitive, or have other specific dietary needs, you are encouraged to:

  • Let us know ahead of time

  • Bring food that you know is safe for you

  • Label your dish clearly so others can make informed choices

Food Allergies & Labeling

We want to reduce the risk of allergic reactions as much as we can in a communal setting.

If you bring a homemade dish, please:

  • Label your ingredients, especially if your dish contains:

    • Nuts

    • Dairy

    • Eggs

    • Gluten (wheat, barley, rye)

    • Soy

    • Shellfish or fish

If you have severe allergies (for example, life-threatening reactions to peanuts, gluten, or dairy):

  • Bring your own safe snacks and meals

  • Bring and carry your rescue medications (like EpiPens or antihistamines)

  • When in doubt, choose only foods you know are safe for you

We cannot fully control cross-contact in a potluck environment, so your caution and preparation are important.

The Communal Table vs. Personal Food

To avoid misunderstandings:

  • Any food placed on the first-floor communal table is considered shared food and available to everyone.

  • If you do not want to share your food due to medical, dietary, or personal reasons, please:

    • Keep it in your vehicle, or

    • Store it in a clearly labeled personal cooler

We maintain a small supply of basic foodstuffs to help supplement meals, especially when money is tight for some visitors. These items are for everyone to share.

Lodge Rules Around Food

To keep the lodge clean and avoid attracting animals and pests:

  • Please keep all food and drinks on the first floor of the lodge.

  • Do not bring food or beverages to the second floor or sleeping areas.

  • Do not keep uncovered food in your tent or campsite unless you are using a bear-resistant container or cooler.

We are located in the rural Northwoods of Wisconsin, where wildlife is present. Careless food storage can attract animals to human spaces, which is unsafe for everyone involved—especially the animals.

What Can I Bring to a Potluck?

Here are some budget-friendly, off-grid-friendly ideas:

  • Chips, crackers, bread, or rolls

  • Soda, juice, or bottled water

  • Baked goods (cookies, bars, muffins, breads)

  • Casseroles (with labeled ingredients)

  • Crockpot-style dishes kept hot until serving

  • Pasta dishes or pasta salads

  • Veggie trays, fruit, or simple salads

  • Dips with chips, pita, or bread (hummus, bean dip, nacho dip, etc.)

If you are unsure whether a dish will work in an off-grid environment, you can always bring shelf-stable snacks or ask us ahead of time.

Alcohol Guidelines

Deeply Rooted Church permits responsible alcohol use for adults, with clear boundaries:

  • You must be 21 years or older to consume alcohol on the property.

  • You are expected to drink responsibly and remain in control of your behavior.

  • Violence, harassment, or any inappropriate behavior connected to alcohol will result in being asked to leave the grounds.

Alcohol is welcome at our events within these boundaries; intoxication that disrupts community or safety is not.