Company to Commercialize Locally Grown Stevia

Sweet Green Fields (Bellingham, WA) has announced its first commercial harvest of local stevia (Stevia rebaudiana), grown in California. The harvest is of Rebaudioside A (Reb A) stevia.

Stevia is becoming a popular sweetener due to its zero-calorie, zero-carbohydrate profile. Sweet Green Fields warns, however, that much of the ingredient is produced overseas.

“More than eighty percent of the world’s stevia originates from China, due to low labor costs,” said Mike Quin, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Sweet Green Fields. “We have supply agreements with U.S. companies that have many decades of brand investment to build consumer trust. Sourcing stevia grown locally gives them added visibility and confidence in their supply chain.”