Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc., a leading North American marketer and distributor of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, is a year-round supplier of Hass avocados from Mexico, California, Peru and Chile, according to a written statement from the company to The Produce News.

In 2012 nursery and horticulture ranked number one of the top 15 agricultural products produced in Connecticut with a value of $252.9 million. And the number and sizes of farms in the state are increasing. The 2012 Census of Agriculture in the United States reported that Connecticut farms have increased by 22 percent in the past five years, the highest rate of any other New England state.

The Friendly Hands Food Bank in Torrington, CT, began in Maureen (Mo) Hubert’s home on Feb 9, 1991. Forced by the demand that grew continually since that day, the operation is now housed in its own separate facility.

“How many people in our community needing food was my driving force,” Hubert told The Produce News. “The places that donated food were controlled by so much bureaucracy that people were dissuaded or didn’t meet the criteria. I decided to do it my way. It’s just a bag of food-and we all need to eat.”

The 2014 Dream Ride Experience, presented by Bozzuto’s Inc. and the Hometown Foundation to benefit Special Olympics, will take place Aug. 23-24 in Farmington, CT. The event will unite motorcyclists, classic and exotic car enthusiasts, and families and friends who want to be part of a fun, festive event to support Special Olympics, according to a July 21 press release.

Diane Kurrle, U.S. Apple Association’s vice president of public affairs, has been named senior vice president.

Kurrle is being recognized for more than 10 years of tireless work on critical industry issues.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods won the chef demo competition at the PMA Foodservice Conference with a recipe that featured the company’s value-added fresh celery and radish ministick products.