Stevia First Corp. Adds 4 Key Advisors to Guide Stevia Product Development


SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - Apr 2, 2012) - Stevia First Corp. (OTCBB: STVF) ("Stevia First." or the "Company"), an early stage agribusiness based in California's Central valley growing region and focused on the industrial scale production of stevia, the all-natural zero-calorie sweetener that is rapidly transforming the food and beverage industry, is pleased to announce the addition of four key advisors including Dr. Michael T. Murray, N.D., Karm Bains, Karlene Karst, R.D., and Dr. Gaetano Morello, N.D.

Dr. Michael T. Murray, N.D., is widely regarded as a leading authority on natural medicine. He is co-author of A Textbook of Natural Medicine, the definitive textbook on naturopathic medicine for physicians, as well as the consumer version; the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. He has also written over 20 other books including What the Drug Companies Won't Tell You and Your Doctor Doesn't Know. Dr. Murray is a graduate, former faculty member, and serves on the Board of Regents of Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington.

Karm Bains is a 4th generation peach farmer in Yuba City, the location of Stevia First's headquarters in California's Central Valley, where he currently manages the farming operations of more than 600 acres of peaches, prunes, walnuts, pecans, and almonds. As a co-owner of Coldwell Banker Commercial in Yuba City, he manages property holdings and develops real estate ventures. Karm is an active member of the local community, including currently serving as Commissioner of the Yuba City Planning Commission and recently as the Chairman of the Economic Development Commission. He also currently serves as a board member for the Fremont-Rideout Health Group, Walnut Bargaining Association, Prune Bargaining Association, and California Cling Peach Association.

Karlene Karst, RD, is a leading health specialist in nutrition and is dedicated to improving the health of society. Co-authoring the national best seller, Healthy Fats for Life and her latest book, The Metabolic Syndrome Program; How to Lose Weight, Beat Heart Disease, Stop Insulin Resistance and More, is just a part of Karlene's efforts to encourage people to get "back to the basics" of nutrition to live a long, healthy life. Karlene holds a BSc in Nutrition and is a registered dietitian. Karlene is a highly sought-after, enthusiastic and passionate individual who is a frequent guest speaker at nutrition trade shows, and educational events around North America.

Dr. Gaetano Morello, N.D. is Director of Education and the past president and CEO of a national distributor for Enzymatic Therapy, Inc., one of North America's largest manufacturers and distributors of health and dietary supplements. He is the author of The Cleanse, Ultimate Inside Out Approach, The Miracles of Fiber, and a contributing author to A Textbook of Natural Medicine, Alive Magazine, Viva Magazine, and a number of other publications. Dr. Morello actively serves on health and medical panels, and his knowledge and experience in the clinical applications of natural medicine have placed him in high demand as a speaker, including 500 medical presentations in the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Italy in the last decade.

Company CEO Robert Brooke comments, "We are pleased to be working with health industry and agricultural professionals who are passionate and progressive advocates of stevia. As early-adopters of stevia, they tracked its progress and understood its value to health-conscious consumers' years before the recent regulatory approvals in the U.S. and Europe and the resulting rapid expansion of the global market for stevia products. Their insight will be valuable as we seek to develop innovative products that will resonate in the growing stevia marketplace."

Further details of the Company's business, finances, appointments and agreements can be found as part of the Company's continuous public disclosure as a reporting issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") EDGAR database. For more information visit: www.steviafirst.com.

About Stevia First Corp. (OTCBB: STVF)
Stevia First Corp. is seeking to establish a vertically-integrated stevia enterprise in the U.S. with expertise in stevia seed and tissue propagation, plant breeding, and cultivation. 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.

Contact Information:

Contact:
Investor Relations
Crescendo Communications, LLC
Email: stvf@crescendo-ir.com
Tel: 1-888-727-1020
Web: www.steviafirst.com