Some people have food allergies or food related health issues and do not want to constantly have to explain why they don't want to eat (or can't eat) the treats. I'm in a group that meets at our local library & the core ladies who do just about everything know what's going on, new members do not. Our group does just snacks (not usually messy ones), whatever you brought goes on the table to share. We are responsible for bringing our own drinks, preferably with tight fitting lids.