Splenda seeks US growers to embrace stevia farming

Parent company Heartland Food Products Group intends to source 100% stevia from US soil and plans to be in production by June 2021

Heartland Food Products Group, the makers of the Splenda brand, has revealed plans to join forces with partners to grow high-quality stevia plants in the US. The brand is actively seeking farmers to embrace this crop and intends to be in production by June 2021.

The company believes stevia could grow particularly well in the South and Southeast regions. The Splenda stevia produced by these plants is deemed to be the highest grade and focus on the sweetest glycosides.

For Heartland, the introduction of a new crop is a viable and exciting option for farmers. As a high-value crop stevia plants could yield significantly more value than current options, measured by hectare farmed.

“We are passionate about bringing the best products to market, and for us, that includes sourcing directly from US farmers,” said Ted Gelov, chairman and chief executive of the group.

Zero-calorie sweetener

The initiative builds on a decade of research to identify and cultivate the best stevia plants for producing the cleanest-tasting zero-calorie sweetness.

The company has pioneered a mobile extraction process allowing farmers to extract the sugar-like stevia glycosides from the stevia leaf right at the farm.

“Stevia has the potential to be an important US agricultural crop,” commented Gelov. “We are in the process of developing partnerships with farmers interested in growing stevia and value its importance in the fight against obesity and diabetes by providing an all-natural zero-calorie alternative to sugar for consumers.”

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Heartland produces low-calorie sweeteners, coffee, coffee creamers and liquid water enhancers. The company has operations in Europe and Latin America.