SKOWHEGAN -- Gifford's Ice Cream, made by the family-owned and operated ice cream manufacturer based in Skowhegan, has been picked up by several prominent locations in Connecticut and New Hampshire, including the University of Connecticut and the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion concert facility in Gilford, N.H.

Gifford's Ice Cream recently was added to the official meal plan at UConn and now will be offered to nearly 30,000 student diners on campus, according to a company news release. Gifford's will be served at The Pines Seafood House in Raymond, N.H.; the Tamarack Restaurant Drive-in, in Laconia, in New Hampshire's lakes region; and at Mel's, an entertainment complex in Litchfield, N.H.

The company recently added high-profile locations serving Gifford's Ice Cream including at the United Nations, Lord & Taylor, Columbia University and Bloomingdale's.

"The Gifford's team is dedicated to producing the best ice cream in traditional and innovative flavors," said Lindsay Gifford, vice president of sales at Gifford's Ice Cream. "Our being able to attract venues like UConn and New Hampshire's Meadowbrook Pavilion tells us that we're meeting our goal of producing high-quality ice cream, and that's incredibly rewarding to all of us."

The multi-generational family company has its roots in small-town Maine, but the company continues to achieve growth and popularity at restaurants and ice cream stands throughout the entire northeast, Gifford said.

Gifford's is available in northern New England at Hannaford locations, Shaw's Supermarkets, and Roche Bros. locations and also is offered in a growing number of family-owned supermarkets throughout greater Boston and southern New England.

Several hundred ice cream stands throughout New England, New York and New Jersey are serving the premium ice cream.

"We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the owners and operators of small and family-owned businesses throughout New England," Gifford said. "They've been critical to our success from the start, and we never forget that businesses like these draw a steady and strong customer base. They're a very important part of the Gifford's family."

Ice cream aficionados interested in signing up for the Gifford's Ice Cream newsletter are invited to e-mail info@gif fordsicecream.com. For further information, visit www.gifford sicecream.com.

Doug Harlow -- 474-9534, ext. 342

dharlow@centralmaine.com