Stevia First Corporation Announces USDA Prioritization for Stevia Herbicide Trials

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 13, 2013) - Stevia First Corp. (OTCQB: STVF) ("Stevia First" or the "Company"), an early-stage agribusiness based in California's Central Valley and focused on the industrial scale production of stevia, is building support and acceptance for stevia by broadening its involvement within the USDA's IR-4 Program and helping provide domestic stevia growers with tools for long-term, reliable stevia leaf production.

In May 2013, the herbicides Envoy (Clethodim), Dual Magnum (S-Metolachlor) and Prowl H₂0 (Pendimethalin), which are widely used in the United States, have received commercial and manufacturer support to be elevated to high priority status in the Western Region's IR-4 Program. This important prioritization change was enabled by Stevia First Corp. acting in concert with researchers from the USDA, UC Davis, and North Carolina State University.

Currently, farmers in the U.S. interested in stevia must pursue use-exemptions for products intended for other crops, which are often difficult to acquire due to a rigorous justification process. Stevia First together with its partners, are leading the growing U.S-based stevia industry by generating the necessary crop safety data to support the development of pesticide regulation and best management practices for both organic and conventional production. The advancement of Envoy (Clethodim), Dual Magnum (S-Metolachlor), and Prowl H₂0 (Pendimethalin) in the IR-4 program is an important step in providing stevia growers with safe, reliable, and effective tools that enable long-term domestic stevia leaf production.

Stevia First Corp. is currently pursuing California grown stevia leaf to be used in its efforts to modernize the stevia supply chain and as feedstock for its breakthrough fermentation methods. Fermentation-based stevia production methods may bypass or greatly diminish the need for stevia leaf production, which by some estimates accounts for 70% or more of the total costs of traditional stevia extract production.

"The USDA's prioritization of these tools is another meaningful step towards ensuring a robust supply of locally-grown stevia leaf," said Robert Brooke, CEO of Stevia First. "We are excited to catalyze these efforts, which align with our long-term interests and could improve the economics of stevia extract production."

About Stevia First Corp. (OTCQB: STVF)
Stevia First Corp. is seeking to establish a vertically-integrated enterprise in the U.S. that uses technological expertise in fermentation-based stevia production and improves upon traditional stevia farming and processing methods. Stevia First's U.S. operations are located in the heart of California's Central Valley, one of the world's most productive agricultural regions. For more information visit: www.steviafirst.com.

About the Stevia Industry
The market for all-natural, zero-calorie stevia sweeteners is expanding rapidly. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates stevia intake could eventually replace 20-30% of all dietary sweeteners. The total global sweetener market was estimated at $58.3 billion in 2010. For more information visit: www.steviafirst.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27(a) of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, projections of worldwide sales of stevia products, growth of stevia production and global markets. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.