Sectors & Industries Consumer DefensivePackaged Foods
Best Food Stocks to Buy Now (2026)
Top food stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +28.50% per year, and are the best food stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Industry: Packaged Foods

Overview Zen Rating Price Value Growth Financials

Momentum Sentiment Forecast Dividends Due Diligence

Food is Zen Rated C and is the 84th ranked industry out of 145 stock market industries

Ticker	Company	Market Cap	ROE	ROA	ROCE	ROIC	D/E	Current Ratio	Gross Margin	Profit Margin	Operating Margin
SENEA	SENECA FOODS CORP	$1.21B	16.40%	9.40%	16.24%	13.40%	0.63	3.77	13.40%	6.70%	9.69%
DAR	DARLING INGREDIENTS INC	$9.44B	4.70%	2.10%	4.92%	4.60%	1.17	1.58	24.80%	3.50%	7.49%
NATR	NATURES SUNSHINE PRODUCTS INC	$288.21M	10.90%	6.90%	14.77%	24.40%	0.54	2.60	73.20%	3.70%	5.73%
BRCC	BRC INC	$250.29M	-8.10%	-1.80%	1.57%	1.10%	2.75	1.42	33.90%	-0.90%	0.48%
SJM	J M SMUCKER CO	$12.82B	-2.40%	-0.80%	2.33%	3.00%	1.93	0.78	33.50%	-1.50%	3.52%
LW	LAMB WESTON HOLDINGS INC	$7.19B	16.10%	4.00%	10.04%	7.00%	3.04	1.42	20.60%	4.40%	9.05%
JBSS	SANFILIPPO JOHN B & SON INC	$972.11M	18.10%	10.90%	18.74%	17.20%	0.68	2.30	18.50%	5.80%	8.01%
FTLF	FITLIFE BRANDS INC	$94.19M	14.00%	6.30%	12.24%	22.70%	1.30	1.52	37.50%	6.60%	11.24%
MAMA	MAMA's CREATIONS INC	$729.06M	13.00%	7.90%	12.66%	20.60%	0.58	2.32	24.50%	3.20%	4.45%
SMPL	SIMPLY GOOD FOODS CO	$981.91M	-12.30%	-8.80%	-11.93%	-34.30%	0.45	4.80	32.70%	-14.30%	-16.85%
MICC	MAGNUM ICE CREAM CO NV	$11.80B	9.20%	2.30%	11.10%	12.10%	8.04	1.01	7.60%	2.20%	6.93%
HLF	HERBALIFE LTD	$1.29B	-32.10%	5.90%	21.63%	12.90%	-7.01	1.20	77.70%	3.20%	7.84%
NOMD	NOMAD FOODS LTD	$1.70B	5.30%	2.10%	5.87%	11.90%	1.54	1.06	26.60%	4.40%	10.32%
LWAY	LIFEWAY FOODS INC	$481.38M	17.80%	13.80%	20.99%	35.20%	0.33	2.14	28.10%	6.50%	9.20%
JJSF	J&J SNACK FOODS CORP	$1.72B	5.40%	3.70%	5.49%	7.00%	0.52	2.34	31.30%	3.20%	4.17%
FLO	FLOWERS FOODS INC	$1.57B	5.30%	1.70%	5.81%	5.50%	2.21	0.77	48.70%	1.40%	3.52%
INGR	INGREDION INC	$6.58B	13.60%	7.50%	13.07%	14.30%	0.77	2.80	23.70%	8.20%	12.34%
SFD	SMITHFIELD FOODS INC	$9.99B	15.30%	8.60%	13.41%	15.80%	0.75	2.41	13.40%	6.50%	8.55%
GIS	GENERAL MILLS INC	$19.69B	-1.00%	-0.30%	3.72%	5.70%	3.07	0.68	33.60%	-0.50%	4.70%
MZTI	MARZETTI CO	$3.11B	17.20%	13.30%	19.53%	29.80%	0.30	2.58	24.20%	9.10%	11.65%
BGS	B&G FOODS INC	$285.71M	-16.80%	-2.70%	2.12%	2.00%	6.03	2.99	21.40%	-4.20%	3.06%
POST	POST HOLDINGS INC	$3.46B	8.70%	2.20%	6.90%	7.10%	3.17	1.85	28.80%	3.50%	9.66%
MKC	MCCORMICK & CO INC	$14.24B	24.90%	10.70%	15.55%	33.60%	1.27	0.78	38.60%	21.40%	27.18%
USNA	USANA HEALTH SCIENCES INC	$285.62M	1.70%	1.20%	6.54%	21.40%	0.27	2.51	77.60%	1.00%	4.39%
LFVN	LIFEVANTAGE CORP	$85.28M	17.20%	9.00%	16.10%	17.90%	0.86	1.96	78.10%	2.90%	3.46%
CAG	CONAGRA BRANDS INC	$7.23B	-24.30%	-9.90%	-10.24%	-12.40%	1.72	0.90	23.90%	-17.00%	-12.78%
HAIN	HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP INC	$53.79M	-140.70%	-35.40%	-136.12%	-48.70%	4.39	0.52	19.80%	-35.50%	-30.70%
BRBR	BELLRING BRANDS INC	$1.34B	-35.50%	16.80%	44.19%	19.50%	-3.25	2.25	28.60%	7.30%	13.25%
HRL	HORMEL FOODS CORP	$13.77B	5.90%	3.50%	6.36%	9.80%	0.68	1.94	15.70%	3.80%	6.01%
KHC	KRAFT HEINZ CO	$30.03B	-8.40%	-4.30%	-4.62%	-9.60%	1.03	1.06	33.40%	-13.60%	-11.95%
FRPT	FRESHPET INC	$3.22B	16.70%	11.30%	9.98%	9.10%	0.46	6.05	41.40%	17.30%	14.63%
CPB	CAMPBELL's CO	$6.87B	15.30%	4.00%	9.21%	11.80%	2.76	0.87	28.80%	6.10%	11.31%
ATPC	AGAPE ATP CORP	$2.63M	-8.40%	-7.70%	-8.60%	-8.30%	0.13	9.01	55.80%	-126.50%	-126.33%
PPC	PILGRIMS PRIDE CORP	$6.54B	14.90%	5.40%	13.10%	12.10%	1.67	1.36	9.60%	3.00%	5.18%
WEST	WESTROCK COFFEE CO	$803.47M	N/A	-5.60%	-1.20%	-0.80%	-26.98	0.97	12.50%	-4.90%	-0.68%
JBS	JBS NV	$15.78B	20.50%	4.00%	12.69%	9.40%	4.39	1.50	12.50%	2.00%	4.81%
OFRM	ONCE UPON A FARM PBC	$751.30M	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	0.30	4.02	N/A	N/A	N/A
PAVS	PARANOVUS ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY LTD	$3.45k	-25.40%	-19.30%	-22.50%	-48.20%	0.38	1.15	20.00%	-54.80%	-52.17%
BYND	BEYOND MEAT INC	$277.51M	-132.40%	42.20%	70.02%	30.70%	8.86	2.63	3.10%	95.80%	121.08%
NCRA	NOCERA INC	$4.21M	-244.50%	-62.20%	-64.47%	-78.70%	0.51	9.42	2.00%	-74.30%	-70.93%
ENHA	ENHANCED GROUP INC	$361.01M	N/A	-16.40%	-12.18%	-16.40%	-1.08	0.99	N/A	N/A	N/A
RKDA	ARCADIA BIOSCIENCES INC	$1.43M	-219.40%	-132.00%	-235.35%	-221.30%	0.85	3.79	34.50%	-195.90%	-195.78%
STKH	STEAKHOLDER FOODS LTD	$0.00	-266.30%	-172.00%	-252.38%	-257.50%	0.20	4.13	N/A	N/A	N/A
HCWC	HEALTHY CHOICE WELLNESS CORP	$7.97M	-116.40%	-20.70%	-35.76%	-20.30%	5.27	0.68	39.00%	-9.10%	-7.87%
JVA	COFFEE HOLDING CO INC	$19.98M	5.40%	3.60%	7.94%	7.00%	0.35	3.62	15.70%	1.50%	2.42%
FAMI	FARMMI INC	$882.58k	-36.10%	-31.80%	-38.43%	-30.30%	0.19	9.35	2.90%	-189.80%	-188.34%
SOWG	SOW GOOD INC	$54.93M	-371.70%	-196.90%	3,101.12%	-191.00%	-3.10	0.68	44.50%	1,637.50%	1,628.60%
COOT	AUSTRALIAN OILSEEDS HOLDINGS LTD	$11.35M	-584.90%	-8.70%	0.65%	0.20%	9.97	0.59	8.00%	-6.50%	0.14%
BOF	BRANCHOUT FOOD INC	$63.56M	-138.90%	-47.10%	-75.47%	-40.50%	1.90	0.87	14.30%	-53.30%	-47.83%
CENT	CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO	$2.80B	10.10%	4.50%	8.56%	10.10%	1.17	3.79	32.50%	5.40%	8.96%
DDC	DDC ENTERPRISE LTD	$10.86M	-123.90%	-35.90%	-44.20%	-58.30%	1.70	0.88	31.40%	-123.30%	-117.35%
UCFI	CN HEALTHY FOOD TECH GROUP CORP	$287.81M	40.60%	15.40%	60.60%	-76.00%	0.97	1.65	71.30%	25.20%	41.88%
UTZ	UTZ BRANDS INC	$2.03B	-4.10%	-1.00%	0.97%	1.60%	2.10	1.06	20.70%	-2.00%	1.62%
BRLS	BOREALIS FOODS INC	$19.75M	N/A	-33.70%	58.34%	-56.80%	-3.24	0.10	11.30%	-59.80%	-39.85%
BON	BON NATURAL LIFE LTD	$6.51M	-3.90%	-2.70%	-2.19%	-2.40%	0.47	1.74	20.80%	-10.70%	-6.90%
BRID	BRIDGFORD FOODS CORP	$56.46M	-12.30%	-9.60%	-15.49%	-14.20%	0.32	2.41	18.30%	-6.10%	-7.89%
BHST	BIOHARVEST SCIENCES INC	$58.03M	-88.00%	-29.30%	-15.35%	-18.80%	0.98	2.96	59.50%	-32.50%	-15.71%
NAII	NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL INC	$14.87M	-21.50%	-9.30%	-7.48%	-5.00%	1.45	1.64	7.60%	-10.10%	-6.10%
WYHG	WING YIP FOOD HOLDINGS GROUP LTD	$55.74M	4.80%	3.80%	5.42%	10.10%	0.25	4.77	29.20%	5.90%	7.52%
PETZ	TDH HOLDINGS INC	$16.36M	6.20%	4.90%	5.02%	9.90%	0.31	5.08	-0.90%	143.80%	134.86%
PLAG	PLANET GREEN HOLDINGS CORP	$8.00M	-1,882.30%	-153.20%	-6,449.18%	-613.40%	-10.11	0.70	18.40%	-302.30%	-300.00%
LSF	LAIRD SUPERFOOD INC	$47.76M	-13.90%	-5.30%	-10.29%	-67.20%	0.89	3.19	35.80%	-3.40%	-12.45%

Food Stocks FAQ

What are the best food stocks to buy right now in Aug 2026?

According to Zen Ratings, our proprietary rating system that evaluates 115 factors proven to drive growth in stocks and assigns each stock in our system an overall letter grade as well as 7 individual Component Grades for Value, Growth, Momentum, Sentiment, Safety, Financials, and proprietary AI algorithms, the 3 best food stocks to buy right now are:

1. Seneca Foods (NASDAQ:SENEA)

Seneca Foods (NASDAQ:SENEA) is the #1 top food stock out of 62 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +28.5% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Seneca Foods (NASDAQ:SENEA) is: Value: B, Growth: B, Momentum: C, Sentiment: B, Safety: C, Financials: B, and AI: C.

Seneca Foods (NASDAQ:SENEA) has a Due Diligence Score of 55, which is 24 points higher than the food industry average of 31.

SENEA passed 18 out of 33 due diligence checks and has strong fundamentals. Seneca Foods has seen its stock return 74.14% over the past year, overperforming other food stocks by 172 percentage points.

2. Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR)

Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR) is the #2 top food stock out of 62 with a Zen Rating of B. Stocks with a rating of B have had an average return of +17.17% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR) is: Value: C, Growth: B, Momentum: C, Sentiment: B, Safety: C, Financials: C, and AI: C.

Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR) has a Due Diligence Score of 45, which is 14 points higher than the food industry average of 31.

DAR passed 15 out of 33 due diligence checks and has strong fundamentals. Darling Ingredients has seen its stock return 93.58% over the past year, overperforming other food stocks by 192 percentage points.

Darling Ingredients has an average 1 year price target of $71.40, an upside of 20.18% from Darling Ingredients's current stock price of $59.41.

Darling Ingredients stock has a consensus Strong Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 10 analysts covering Darling Ingredients, 60% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 30% have issued a Buy, 10% have issued a hold, while 0% have issued a Sell rating, and 0% have issued a Strong Sell.

3. Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR)

Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR) is the #3 top food stock out of 62 with a Zen Rating of B. Stocks with a rating of B have had an average return of +17.17% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR) is: Value: A, Growth: C, Momentum: C, Sentiment: C, Safety: C, Financials: B, and AI: B.

Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR) has a Due Diligence Score of 47, which is 16 points higher than the food industry average of 31.

NATR passed 19 out of 38 due diligence checks and has strong fundamentals. Natures Sunshine Products has seen its stock return 6.71% over the past year, overperforming other food stocks by 105 percentage points.

Natures Sunshine Products has an average 1 year price target of $34.50, an upside of 110.62% from Natures Sunshine Products's current stock price of $16.38.

Natures Sunshine Products stock has a consensus Strong Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 2 analysts covering Natures Sunshine Products, 100% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 0% have issued a Buy, 0% have issued a hold, while 0% have issued a Sell rating, and 0% have issued a Strong Sell.

What are the food stocks with highest dividends?

Out of 21 food stocks that have issued dividends in the past year, the 3 food stocks with the highest dividend yields are:

1. B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS)

B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS) has an annual dividend yield of 18.89%, which is 13 percentage points higher than the food industry average of 5.58%. B&G Foods's dividend payout is not stable, having dropped more than 10% two times in the last 10 years. B&G Foods's dividend has not shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

B&G Foods's dividend payout ratio of -79.2% indicates that its high dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

2. Flowers Foods (NYSE:FLO)

Flowers Foods (NYSE:FLO) has an annual dividend yield of 11.74%, which is 6 percentage points higher than the food industry average of 5.58%. Flowers Foods's dividend payout is not stable, having dropped more than 10% one times in the last 10 years. Flowers Foods's dividend has not shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Flowers Foods's dividend payout ratio of 275.4% indicates that its high dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

3. Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG)

Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG) has an annual dividend yield of 8.11%, which is 3 percentage points higher than the food industry average of 5.58%. Conagra Brands's dividend payout is not stable, having dropped more than 10% two times in the last 10 years. Conagra Brands's dividend has not shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Conagra Brands's dividend payout ratio of -35% indicates that its high dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

Why are food stocks down?

Food stocks were down -0.13% in the last day, and up 2.63% over the last week. Natures Sunshine Products was the among the top losers in the packaged foods industry, dropping -19.47% yesterday.

Natures Sunshine Products shares are trading lower after the company reported worse-than-expected Q2 financial results and cut its FY26 sales guidance below estimates.

What are the most undervalued food stocks?

Based on the Valuation rating, one of the 7 components of a stocks overall Zen Ratings grade, which evaluates factors including estimated earnings yield, earnings before interest and taxes/enterprise value, cash flow yield, free cash flow to price, and price-to-earnings growth (PEG ratio), the 3 most undervalued food stocks right now are:

1. Herbalife (NYSE:HLF)

Herbalife (NYSE:HLF) is the most undervalued food stock based on its Valuation Rating of A. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Herbalife has a valuation score of 57, which is 35 points higher than the food industry average of 22. It passed 4 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Herbalife's stock has gained 43.27% in the past year. It has overperformed other stocks in the food industry by 142 percentage points.

2. Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR)

Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR) is the second most undervalued food stock based on its Valuation Rating of A. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Natures Sunshine Products has a valuation score of 57, which is 35 points higher than the food industry average of 22. It passed 4 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Natures Sunshine Products's stock has gained 6.71% in the past year. It has overperformed other stocks in the food industry by 105 percentage points.

3. Post Holdings (NYSE:POST)

Post Holdings (NYSE:POST) is the third most undervalued food stock based on its Valuation Rating of A. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Post Holdings has a valuation score of 57, which is 35 points higher than the food industry average of 22. It passed 4 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Post Holdings's stock has dropped -23.53% in the past year. It has overperformed other stocks in the food industry by 75 percentage points.

Are food stocks a good buy now?

45% of food stocks rated by analysts are a strong buy right now. On average, analysts expect food stocks to rise by 20.51% over the next year.

2.44% of food stocks have a Zen Rating of A (Strong Buy), 12.2% of food stocks are rated B (Buy), 73.17% are rated C (Hold), 7.32% are rated D (Sell), and 4.88% are rated F (Strong Sell).

What is the average p/e ratio of the packaged foods industry?

The average P/E ratio of the packaged foods industry is -20.11x.

WallStreetZen does not provide financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security.

Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes and is not advice. WallStreetZen does not bear any responsibility for any losses or damage that may occur as a result of reliance on this data.

Sectors & Industries Consumer DefensivePackaged Foods
Best Food Stocks to Buy Now (2026)
Top food stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +28.50% per year, and are the best food stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Food Stocks FAQ

1. Seneca Foods (NASDAQ:SENEA)

2. Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR)

3. Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR)

1. B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS)

2. Flowers Foods (NYSE:FLO)

3. Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG)

1. Herbalife (NYSE:HLF)

2. Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR)

3. Post Holdings (NYSE:POST)

Company

Stock Tools

Stock Ideas

Sectors & IndustriesConsumer DefensivePackaged FoodsBest Food Stocks to Buy Now (2026)Top food stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +28.50% per year, and are the best food stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Food Stocks FAQ

1. Seneca Foods (NASDAQ:SENEA)

2. Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR)

3. Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR)

1. B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS)

2. Flowers Foods (NYSE:FLO)

3. Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG)

1. Herbalife (NYSE:HLF)

2. Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR)

3. Post Holdings (NYSE:POST)

Company

Stock Tools

Stock Ideas

Sectors & Industries Consumer DefensivePackaged Foods
Best Food Stocks to Buy Now (2026)
Top food stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +28.50% per year, and are the best food stocks to buy now. Learn More.