Is it rude to bring store-bought food to a potluck?
Guilty
The short answer
Store-bought food is fine at a potluck if it is food and there is enough to share. Ice, napkins or a single lemon do not count as a dish.
The ruling
From the public record. Names are replaced with roles.
Small claims division
Case no.PC-2026-06157
The host of the potluck v. The guest who brought a bag of ice
Filed 10/18/2026
- Plaintiff
- The host of the potluck
- Defendant
- The guest who brought a bag of ice
Statement of claim
I hosted a potluck for 20 people. Everyone brought a dish. He brought a bag of ice, from the gas station, half melted. Then he had seconds of everything, including my pie.
Charge
Contribution of one half-melted bag of ice to a potluck, followed by seconds of every dish
Judgment
Guilty
Guest found guilty of bringing ice to a potluck and eating seconds of everything
Sentence
The defendant brings a main dish for 20 to the next potluck and leaves the last slice of pie for the host.
How the court usually rules on this
The court does not require homemade food at a potluck, and a good store-bought dish is welcome. What the court checks is whether the contribution feeds people roughly as much as the guest eats. Drinks and ice count if the host asked for them. A token item followed by a full plate from every dish is the classic guilty verdict.
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