what would you do to deal with a co-worker like this?

It is time to put her on the spot - make a LIST of what everyone is bringing - take the list to her in person and have her write down what she plans to bring. Email and call her at home the day/evening before the party to remind her to bring what she said she would bring. Let her know, that without it, there will not be enough to go around.

The morning of the party, check and see if she brought it or not - if she claims to have "forgotten" yet again, send her out to the grocery store or bakery to get it. Let her know she is not to distribute any food to the other departments without checking with everyone IN the department if they have had some already. She knows what she is doing, do not let her get away with it anymore!

You don't need to put her on the spot, but you should talk to her off to the side and let her know that her actions are upsetting others. Or at least when the birthday cake or other food comes out, someone should make a general announcement that there is only enough food for everyone in THIS department, so kindly refrain from passing out food to other departments.

If most of you feel this way..why not take her to a private room and all of you tell her just how you feel about this.Don't complain about her and talk about her behind her back, have the decency to tell her how you all feel. As for Birthdays and gifts or food... I really don't believe in that. For a birthday we have a cake and that is all We all pitch in money for the cake..if the person doesn't donate , then they are not allowed to have any cake until everyone gets their share. It's always posted on the Memo, so All understand the rules.Also always have your memo for parties and have everyone sign it as to what they are bringing food wise. I like when at the end of our memos it says no participating ..no hand dipping for freebes.

There is always one or two in every office!! There is really nothing you can do because some people are just lazy and selfish. We have two in our office. One of them brought a can of black beans for out Christmas buffet. She just opened the can, dumped it in a bowl and microwaved it for a minute. This was a huge buffet with some people bringing hams and turkeys!! What an insult to all of us. You can bet she was the first in line though.

I'm guessing it's not in any of your job descriptions that you are required to bring food for everyone. This is a workplace where this kind of stuff is completely voluntary. Leave the potlucks to the people that WANT to do it. If you are holding office celebrations that you don't want to invite everyone to, then do them in a restaurant. I don't think it's right to force your co-worker into doing something that is clearly not part of her job, but is something that simply makes you feel good.

I would just send a mass email to everyone reminding them to bring something in and if you don't bring anything please don't take anything

she probably doesn't know what she is doing is wrong and it would probaly hurt her feelings if she got singled out

She might not have the money to do that but doesn't want to admit it. Don't be so hard on her, there is probably a good reason.

You should be ashamed of yourself. Give, don't expect!