Finding Common Ground: Building Connection One Meal at a Time

Common Ground USA’s Common Ground Gatherings are transforming the simple act of sharing a meal into a powerful tool for connection and understanding. Through events like the Love Anyway Feasts, United Plates Project, and Community & Cocktails, people from all walks of life come together to talk, listen, and discover shared values across their differences. This work reflects the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation’s (NCDD) commitment to fostering dialogue, inclusion, and community collaboration that strengthens democracy from the ground up. By turning food into a bridge, Common Ground USA reminds us that lasting change often begins with a conversation—and an open seat at the table.

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In a time when division can often feel like the norm, Common Ground USA is bringing people back to the table—literally. Through its Common Ground Gatherings, this initiative creates welcoming spaces for Americans to come together across lines of difference, grounded in one of our most universal human experiences: sharing food. Whether over a casserole in a community hall or a pizza at the local bar, these gatherings invite people to talk, listen, and rediscover how much we have in common.

Food as a Bridge for Dialogue

Common Ground USA’s gatherings are as diverse as the people they bring together. From the heartfelt Love Anyway Feasts—where neighbors and strangers share their favorite dishes and stories—to the United Plates Project, which encourages community-based meals in parks, rec centers, or living rooms, every event is built on the idea that connection grows through conversation.

Their Civic Dish-course program takes this spirit to campuses, helping students explore shared values and differing perspectives in an environment that promotes understanding. Meanwhile, Community & Cocktails provides an informal setting for adults to engage over food and drink, strengthening civic relationships while supporting local charities.

Each of these gatherings reflects the same guiding belief: that dialogue does not have to start with debate. Sometimes, it starts with dinner.

Shared Values, Stronger Communities

The work of Common Ground USA aligns closely with the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation’s (NCDD) mission to strengthen democracy through human-centered engagement. Both organizations recognize that meaningful change begins when people come together to listen deeply, engage respectfully, and look for shared purpose.
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By creating space for belonging and curiosity, Common Ground USA fosters the kind of local, inclusive conversations that can ripple outward—helping communities not only understand one another but also collaborate across differences to solve shared challenges. These gatherings remind us that while we may hold varied beliefs, most of us want the same thing: a stronger, more connected country.

Join the Table

Common Ground Gatherings are open to everyone—students, faith leaders, families, and neighbors who believe in the power of community and conversation. You can host your own event or join an upcoming gathering in your area to experience how dialogue over a shared meal can bridge divides and nurture understanding.
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To learn more or get involved, visit https://www.cg-usa.org/initiatives/common-ground-gatherings.