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 +32.52% 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 79th 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
HLF	HERBALIFE LTD	$1.68B	-36.20%	8.40%	27.64%	15.40%	-6.40	1.13	77.90%	4.50%	9.73%
NATR	NATURES SUNSHINE PRODUCTS INC	$453.71M	11.80%	7.60%	15.87%	26.90%	0.62	2.28	72.40%	4.10%	6.04%
DAR	DARLING INGREDIENTS INC	$10.28B	1.40%	0.60%	2.98%	2.80%	1.16	1.50	24.00%	1.00%	4.49%
JBSS	SANFILIPPO JOHN B & SON INC	$939.02M	18.10%	10.90%	18.74%	17.20%	0.68	2.30	18.50%	5.80%	8.01%
SENEA	SENECA FOODS CORP	$992.02M	13.50%	7.30%	13.38%	10.70%	0.71	4.34	12.60%	5.60%	8.62%
POST	POST HOLDINGS INC	$4.97B	8.50%	2.40%	6.73%	7.30%	2.75	1.90	28.50%	3.80%	9.62%
BRCC	BRC INC	$336.83M	-24.00%	-4.10%	-1.89%	-1.30%	3.13	1.36	33.90%	-2.20%	-0.61%
MAMA	MAMA's CREATIONS INC	$587.09M	13.40%	7.70%	11.22%	20.40%	0.63	2.17	25.10%	3.10%	4.24%
SJM	J M SMUCKER CO	$10.31B	-21.60%	-7.30%	-5.03%	-6.60%	2.11	0.84	33.60%	-14.10%	-7.84%
USNA	USANA HEALTH SCIENCES INC	$355.48M	2.00%	1.50%	6.78%	23.30%	0.29	2.24	78.30%	1.20%	4.50%
FLO	FLOWERS FOODS INC	$1.83B	6.00%	1.90%	5.98%	5.50%	2.21	0.75	48.90%	1.60%	3.65%
BGS	B&G FOODS INC	$437.44M	-8.90%	-1.50%	3.90%	3.60%	5.26	3.32	21.80%	-2.40%	5.57%
INGR	INGREDION INC	$6.74B	17.50%	9.40%	15.26%	16.50%	0.83	2.66	25.30%	10.10%	13.91%
NOMD	NOMAD FOODS LTD	$1.32B	5.30%	2.20%	6.18%	12.80%	1.54	1.07	27.10%	4.50%	10.73%
SFD	SMITHFIELD FOODS INC	$10.42B	15.30%	8.60%	13.41%	15.80%	0.75	2.41	13.40%	6.50%	8.55%
MKC	MCCORMICK & CO INC	$13.03B	26.40%	11.30%	15.39%	34.10%	1.26	0.76	37.90%	22.30%	27.94%
LWAY	LIFEWAY FOODS INC	$403.74M	17.20%	13.60%	22.21%	40.50%	0.23	2.23	27.40%	6.50%	9.30%
FTLF	FITLIFE BRANDS INC	$88.56M	15.30%	7.40%	11.91%	28.40%	1.44	1.53	38.60%	7.80%	12.39%
JBS	JBS NV	$17.35B	24.30%	4.70%	13.50%	10.40%	4.09	1.60	13.10%	2.30%	5.26%
CAG	CONAGRA BRANDS INC	$6.70B	-0.50%	-0.20%	3.38%	4.60%	1.35	0.90	24.20%	-0.40%	4.84%
BRBR	BELLRING BRANDS INC	$1.24B	-35.70%	15.70%	40.21%	18.70%	-3.06	2.52	30.20%	6.80%	12.50%
MZTI	MARZETTI CO	$3.26B	17.20%	13.30%	19.53%	29.80%	0.30	2.58	24.20%	9.10%	11.65%
HRL	HORMEL FOODS CORP	$11.52B	6.10%	3.70%	6.30%	9.90%	0.68	2.66	15.50%	4.00%	6.24%
KHC	KRAFT HEINZ CO	$26.68B	-13.40%	-7.00%	-6.16%	-13.80%	0.96	1.15	33.30%	-23.40%	-18.03%
LFVN	LIFEVANTAGE CORP	$70.24M	23.30%	11.60%	22.04%	24.80%	0.85	2.03	78.70%	3.70%	4.42%
MICC	MAGNUM ICE CREAM CO NV	$9.24B	17.20%	4.50%	13.06%	13.50%	10.97	1.02	7.60%	3.70%	7.23%
SMPL	SIMPLY GOOD FOODS CO	$1.16B	-6.20%	-4.50%	-6.17%	-19.60%	0.43	5.06	33.80%	-7.50%	-8.88%
PPC	PILGRIMS PRIDE CORP	$7.45B	24.20%	8.70%	18.72%	17.80%	1.74	1.48	11.60%	4.80%	7.54%
WEST	WESTROCK COFFEE CO	$563.84M	-363.20%	-7.80%	-4.78%	-3.10%	-484.12	0.96	12.70%	-7.60%	-3.07%
LW	LAMB WESTON HOLDINGS INC	$5.86B	16.90%	4.10%	10.25%	7.10%	3.05	1.46	20.60%	4.60%	9.41%
CPB	CAMPBELL's CO	$6.23B	14.00%	3.70%	8.27%	11.00%	2.83	1.02	29.30%	5.50%	10.43%
FRPT	FRESHPET INC	$2.95B	12.30%	8.30%	5.00%	4.70%	0.47	5.54	40.80%	12.60%	7.70%
JJSF	J&J SNACK FOODS CORP	$1.61B	6.50%	4.50%	7.13%	9.00%	0.44	2.52	30.20%	3.90%	5.24%
ABVE	ABOVE FOOD INGREDIENTS INC	$21.43M	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	-1.98	0.23	N/A	N/A	N/A
GIS	GENERAL MILLS INC	$18.44B	23.70%	6.80%	14.61%	22.30%	2.47	0.56	33.00%	12.10%	18.86%
OFRM	ONCE UPON A FARM PBC	$615.66M	N/A	-18.60%	-20.00%	-18.20%	-1.12	2.33	42.30%	-7.20%	-6.03%
UTZ	UTZ BRANDS INC	$1.11B	0.10%	0.00%	2.06%	3.50%	2.03	1.19	24.90%	0.10%	3.54%
BOF	BRANCHOUT FOOD INC	$49.87M	-135.30%	-43.50%	-65.25%	-36.70%	1.60	0.91	14.80%	-44.60%	-38.94%
PAVS	PARANOVUS ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY LTD	$70.14k	-25.40%	-19.30%	-22.50%	-48.20%	0.38	1.15	20.00%	-54.80%	-52.17%
HAIN	HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP INC	$65.51M	-111.70%	-33.40%	-103.67%	-41.70%	3.47	0.56	20.00%	-36.10%	-31.73%
BYND	BEYOND MEAT INC	$426.01M	-33.70%	27.90%	43.17%	15.40%	-617.60	4.56	2.80%	64.60%	84.59%
HCWC	HEALTHY CHOICE WELLNESS CORP	$6.14M	-74.60%	-11.40%	-14.06%	-9.10%	3.59	0.79	39.20%	-5.00%	-3.74%
DDC	DDC ENTERPRISE LTD	$37.80M	-123.90%	-35.90%	-44.20%	-58.30%	1.70	0.88	31.40%	-123.30%	-117.35%
WYHG	WING YIP FOOD HOLDINGS GROUP LTD	$32.72M	3.10%	2.50%	3.93%	7.40%	0.26	3.75	28.60%	3.50%	4.83%
FAMI	FARMMI INC	$6.47M	-36.10%	-31.80%	-38.43%	-30.30%	0.19	9.35	2.90%	-189.80%	-188.34%
ATPC	AGAPE ATP CORP	$2.84M	-9.80%	-9.20%	-10.11%	-9.80%	0.10	11.82	55.00%	-149.60%	-149.42%
BON	BON NATURAL LIFE LTD	$7.77M	-3.90%	-2.70%	-2.19%	-2.40%	0.47	1.74	20.80%	-10.70%	-6.90%
JVA	COFFEE HOLDING CO INC	$27.46M	6.80%	4.50%	9.76%	8.30%	0.43	3.06	16.40%	1.90%	2.93%
BRLS	BOREALIS FOODS INC	$34.34M	N/A	-31.60%	164.07%	-27.30%	-5.35	0.15	9.70%	-65.70%	-46.00%
CENT	CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO	$2.25B	9.90%	4.30%	8.60%	9.50%	1.31	3.43	32.10%	5.00%	8.54%
BRID	BRIDGFORD FOODS CORP	$67.62M	-11.00%	-8.80%	-13.89%	-13.10%	0.26	3.04	19.30%	-5.60%	-7.37%
COOT	AUSTRALIAN OILSEEDS HOLDINGS LTD	$17.55M	N/A	-3.90%	3.44%	0.90%	9.78	0.54	8.30%	-3.10%	0.50%
FARM	FARMER BROTHERS CO	$27.81M	-47.60%	-11.70%	-14.34%	-9.20%	3.25	1.27	40.70%	-5.50%	-3.63%
RKDA	ARCADIA BIOSCIENCES INC	$2.37M	-40.60%	-26.10%	-51.95%	-43.40%	0.58	3.09	36.20%	-48.10%	-47.98%
PLAG	PLANET GREEN HOLDINGS CORP	$25.43M	-590.10%	-140.60%	1,605.75%	-433.40%	-5.71	0.41	3.30%	-887.20%	-881.69%
BHST	BIOHARVEST SCIENCES INC	$95.43M	-158.60%	-32.50%	-13.81%	-20.30%	0.87	3.97	59.30%	-32.30%	-16.00%
PETZ	TDH HOLDINGS INC	$9.91M	6.20%	4.90%	5.02%	9.90%	0.31	5.08	-0.90%	143.80%	134.86%
NCRA	NOCERA INC	$4.47M	-100.70%	-48.70%	-28.75%	-84.60%	-17.96	11.93	1.50%	-27.90%	-24.55%
NAII	NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL INC	$16.12M	-17.40%	-7.90%	-5.88%	-4.00%	1.29	1.87	9.10%	-9.10%	-5.24%
STKH	STEAKHOLDER FOODS LTD	$0.00	-266.30%	-172.00%	-252.38%	-257.50%	0.20	4.13	N/A	N/A	N/A
MEHA	FUNCTIONAL BRANDS INC	$2.08M	118.70%	9.40%	34.57%	53.00%	4.91	0.90	52.70%	11.50%	17.56%
UCFI	CN HEALTHY FOOD TECH GROUP CORP	$287.81M	70.80%	14.90%	61.24%	302.10%	1.25	1.50	66.30%	30.30%	44.38%
LSF	LAIRD SUPERFOOD INC	$31.79M	-25.50%	-16.30%	-28.08%	-46.60%	0.68	2.44	37.90%	-6.50%	-6.48%
SOWG	SOW GOOD INC	$1.23M	-214.20%	-123.10%	1,678.30%	-107.00%	-2.47	0.55	N/A	N/A	N/A
ORIS	ORIENTAL RISE HOLDINGS LTD	$2.38M	0.90%	0.90%	1.12%	3.00%	0.04	19.94	10.80%	5.60%	7.19%

Food Stocks FAQ

What are the best food stocks to buy right now in May 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. Herbalife (NYSE:HLF)

Herbalife (NYSE:HLF) is the #1 top food stock out of 65 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +32.52% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Herbalife (NYSE:HLF) is: Value: A, Growth: C, Momentum: C, Sentiment: C, Safety: B, Financials: A, and AI: B.

Herbalife (NYSE:HLF) has a Due Diligence Score of 31, which is 1 points higher than the food industry average of 30.

HLF passed 10 out of 33 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. Herbalife has seen its stock return 123.35% over the past year, overperforming other food stocks by 181 percentage points.

Herbalife has an average 1 year price target of $18.00, an upside of 10.7% from Herbalife's current stock price of $16.26.

Herbalife stock has a consensus Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 4 analysts covering Herbalife, 50% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 0% have issued a Buy, 50% have issued a hold, while 0% have issued a Sell rating, and 0% have issued a Strong Sell.

2. Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR)

Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR) is the #2 top food stock out of 65 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +32.52% per year. Learn more.

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

Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR) has a Due Diligence Score of 35, which is 5 points higher than the food industry average of 30.

NATR passed 14 out of 38 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. Natures Sunshine Products has seen its stock return 107.32% over the past year, overperforming other food stocks by 165 percentage points.

Natures Sunshine Products has an average 1 year price target of $33.00, an upside of 27.34% from Natures Sunshine Products's current stock price of $25.92.

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.

3. Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR)

Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR) is the #3 top food stock out of 65 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +32.52% per year. Learn more.

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

Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR) has a Due Diligence Score of 29, which is -1 points lower than the food industry average of 30. Although this number is below the industry average, our proven quant model rates DAR as a "A".

DAR passed 10 out of 33 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. Darling Ingredients has seen its stock return 99.75% over the past year, overperforming other food stocks by 158 percentage points.

Darling Ingredients has an average 1 year price target of $68.50, an upside of 5.64% from Darling Ingredients's current stock price of $64.84.

Darling Ingredients stock has a consensus Strong Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 10 analysts covering Darling Ingredients, 70% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 30% 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 20 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 13.89%, which is 9 percentage points higher than the food industry average of 5.28%. B&G Foods's dividend payout is not stable, having dropped more than 10% one 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 -140.7% indicates that its high dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

2. Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG)

Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG) has an annual dividend yield of 10%, which is 5 percentage points higher than the food industry average of 5.28%. Conagra Brands's dividend payout is not stable, having dropped more than 10% one times in the last 10 years. Conagra Brands's dividend has shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Conagra Brands's dividend payout ratio of -1,555.6% indicates that its high dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

3. Flowers Foods (NYSE:FLO)

Flowers Foods (NYSE:FLO) has an annual dividend yield of 8.61%, which is 3 percentage points higher than the food industry average of 5.28%. Flowers Foods's dividend payout is stable, having never dropped by more than 10% in the last 10 years. Flowers Foods's dividend has shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Flowers Foods's dividend payout ratio of 246% indicates that its high dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

Why are food stocks up?

Food stocks were up 0.19% in the last day, and down -1.36% over the last week. Brc was the among the top gainers in the packaged foods industry, gaining 23.85% yesterday.

BRC shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q1 sales results and issued FY26 revenue guidance above 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 34 points higher than the food industry average of 23. It passed 4 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Herbalife's stock has gained 123.35% in the past year. It has overperformed other stocks in the food industry by 181 percentage points.

2. Usana Health Sciences (NYSE:USNA)

Usana Health Sciences (NYSE:USNA) 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.

Usana Health Sciences has a valuation score of 43, which is 20 points higher than the food industry average of 23. It passed 3 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Usana Health Sciences's stock has dropped -33.43% in the past year. It has overperformed other stocks in the food industry by 25 percentage points.

3. Bellring Brands (NYSE:BRBR)

Bellring Brands (NYSE:BRBR) 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.

Bellring Brands has a valuation score of 57, which is 34 points higher than the food industry average of 23. It passed 4 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Bellring Brands's stock has dropped -86.45% in the past year. It has underperformed other stocks in the food industry by -29 percentage points.

Are food stocks a good buy now?

50% of food stocks rated by analysts are a strong buy right now. On average, analysts expect food stocks to rise by 29.42% over the next year.

7.32% of food stocks have a Zen Rating of A (Strong Buy), 7.32% of food stocks are rated B (Buy), 78.05% are rated C (Hold), 4.88% are rated D (Sell), and 2.44% 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 16.09x.

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 +32.52% per year, and are the best food stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Food Stocks FAQ

1. Herbalife (NYSE:HLF)

2. Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR)

3. Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR)

1. B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS)

2. Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG)

3. Flowers Foods (NYSE:FLO)

1. Herbalife (NYSE:HLF)

2. Usana Health Sciences (NYSE:USNA)

3. Bellring Brands (NYSE:BRBR)

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 +32.52% per year, and are the best food stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Food Stocks FAQ

1. Herbalife (NYSE:HLF)

2. Natures Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR)

3. Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR)

1. B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS)

2. Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG)

3. Flowers Foods (NYSE:FLO)

1. Herbalife (NYSE:HLF)

2. Usana Health Sciences (NYSE:USNA)

3. Bellring Brands (NYSE:BRBR)

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 +32.52% per year, and are the best food stocks to buy now. Learn More.