A new decade brings an opportunity for good fortune accompanied by a traditional meal.

Pork and sauerkraut, a popular Pennsylvania Dutch meal, is typically the main course for families within the surrounding areas on New Year’s Day.

The unique pairing stems from a couple folk tales.

Since a pig never walks backward, only forward, then eating from a pig means great progression.

Also, eating pork is a sense of good fortune because if you eat anything that flies on New Year’s Day, expect your money to fly out the window.

To keep the precautionary measures intact, local churches and fire companies host pork and sauerkraut dinners on Jan 1.

“We serve pork and sauerkraut because it’s a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition — it’s a normal thing for this area,” Jean Guldner, secretary of the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company said.

The fire company has been serving the dinner for more than 30 years. Volunteer firefighters and their spouses prepare, cook and serve the food to customers.

At the Zion Lutheran Church located in Tamaqua, the traditional meal became the church’s own tradition three years ago.

“This meal is a tradition, but it can get expensive,” the Rev. Cindy White said. “It’s nice for people to come and not pay for their meal. In Tamaqua, a lot of the people take advantage of food banks, so we are keeping the tradition of feeding the people on New Year’s.”

The free dinner, cooked and served by the church’s Culinary Crew, provides not only a hot homemade meal, but it’s an opportunity for people to come and talk with other members of the community too.

“Everything we serve is homemade, even the applesauce sometimes,” Ralph Derr, coordinator of the Culinary Crew said. “But, it’s really a good time here for the people who come in. Usually, we have people who come in, eat and stay until the dinner is over.”

Local pork and sauerkraut dinner times:

• Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company 3-6 p.m.

• Zion Lutheran Church, Route 2019 in Brodheadsville from noon-2 p.m.

• Zion Lutheran Church in Tamaqua from noon-3 p.m.