More than 40 suppliers are participating in the month-long ‘Go Taste Berks’ program | Berks Regional News

LECTURE, Pa. — “Go Taste Berks” opens Friday.

“We decided to rebrand and do it again this year,” said Katie Johnsen, events coordinator at Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA). So now. Instead of “Taste of Berks,” where it’s one night, where we all go out to one location and get a little taste of a bunch of different things. We’re doing a month-long program called “Go Taste Berks ‘.”

This year, passports are being sold to encourage people to visit these vendors.

Go Taste Berks starts on November 1 and there are no fewer than 40 different locations that you can view and check off in your passport.

“We have a very rich culture of Haitian food,” said Bernude Mezier, one of the operators of Sizzling Island Creole & Caribbean. “So this whole thing started with my grandmother doing her thing. She’s 98 years old now. Food has always been a way for us to connect.”

Family-owned Sizzling Island Creole & Caribbean in the food court on North 6th Street in downtown Reading is participating in the chamber’s tasting event for the first time.

“We have our black rice that is made from an authentic mushroom straight from Haiti, and we want to serve what we eat organically,” Mezier said.

The chamber says the program will help small businesses in the region, giving them exposure and hopefully attracting repeat visitors. In addition, organizers say the passports provide bonuses.

“Take advantage of these great specials, discounts and freebies when you buy something else. Gifts those stores want to give you,” Johnsen said. “Bonus! If you have enough passport stamps to visit those places, you can enter to win prizes.”

“We want them to come and enjoy a different culture and get to know us and the food and what we offer,” Mezier added.

The event lasts the entire month of November. Passports cost $20 for GRCA members and $25 for non-members.