What are the Big 4 food companies?

General Mills, Tyson Foods, Mondelez International, and PepsiCo are four of the big food companies that are publicly traded.

What food stocks pay dividends?

Many well-known stocks pay dividends, including names like General Mills, Mondelez, and PepsiCo.

What food stocks did Warren Buffett own?

Warren Buffett, through Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A) (NYSE:BRK:B), had significant holdings in the food and beverage sector through its position in Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC). Another major company he owned for years through Berkshire was the beverage giant Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO).

Are food stocks considered safe investments?

Food stocks are generally considered more defensive than other sectors, making them a less volatile space to put cash to work. However, food stocks also tend to deliver much more moderate returns than growth-oriented stocks.

What are the most undervalued food stocks?

General Mills, Mondelez, and Sprouts Farmers Market are a few examples of food stocks that look undervalued given the stability of their underlying businesses and long-term growth potential.

How do food stocks perform during a recession?

Food stocks, especially in areas like groceries and packaged goods, generally perform well during recessions because these serve a constant need. Some of these stocks can serve as defensive plays, offering stable earnings and dividends during volatile macro periods.

Best Food Stocks of 2026: Are They Right For You?

Best Food Stocks to Buy in 2026: Are They Right For Your Portfolio?

By Rachel Warren – Updated Mar 17, 2026 at 10:11 PM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

Food sector growth is projected due to rising population and increased demand, offering stable investment opportunities.
Prominent food companies like General Mills and Tyson Foods provide consistent dividends despite economic challenges.
Investing in innovative food stocks like Beyond Meat could capture significant market share as plant-based choices expand.

As the population grows and food demand rises, the food sector is naturally expected to expand steadily in the years ahead. For investors, food stocks offer a way to own shares in the companies that produce, process, distribute, and sell the food people buy every day.

Some forecasts suggest the industry could approach $15 trillion by the early 2030s. That scale highlights both the stability and the competition in the space, with many companies vying for a share of consumers’ food spending.

For investors, that creates a wide range of potential opportunities across a sector that people rely on in any economic environment.

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Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Market cap	Dividend yield	Industry
General Mills (NYSE:GIS)	$18.9 billion	6.87%	Food Products
Tyson Foods (NYSE:TSN)	$22.4 billion	3.12%	Food Products
Mondelez International (NASDAQ:MDLZ)	$73.4 billion	3.44%	Food Products
PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP)	$215.5 billion	3.61%	Beverages
Beyond Meat (NASDAQ:BYND)	$381.3 million	0.00%	Food Products
Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM)	$7.0 billion	0.00%	Food and Staples Retailing
Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL)	$11.7 billion	5.50%	Food Products

Data as of Apr 19, 2026. Showing 7 of 7 tickers.

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NYSE: GIS

General Mills

Today's Change

(0.51%) $0.18

Current Price

$35.50

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$19B

Day's Range

$35.22 - $35.88

52wk Range

$34.04 - $58.45

Volume

7.9M

Avg Vol

8.9M

Gross Margin

33.05%

Dividend Yield

6.87%

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Packaged food giant General Mills (GIS +0.51%) owns a wide variety of well-known brands. The company’s brand portfolio includes Pillsbury, Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Progresso, Green Giant, Yoplait, and many others.

Elevated inflation and economic uncertainty are likely to change consumer behavior, but General Mills has many strong brands. General Mills has also acknowledged the need to address higher prices and is actively working to deliver greater value to consumers through price reductions and promotions.

While a slowdown in snacking spending has hit General Mills' top and bottom lines recently, the company remains profitable and maintains a strong commitment to its dividend. General Mills’ pet segment, the result of several acquisitions, including the 2018 purchase of Blue Buffalo, could be particularly well-positioned over the long run.

General Mills sports a dividend yield of roughly 6%, which has risen as share price performance has been tepid at best. There’s plenty of economic uncertainty right now, but General Mills’ pricing power should help see it through.

2. Tyson Foods

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NYSE: TSN

Tyson Foods

Today's Change

(1.31%) $0.84

Current Price

$64.83

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$22B

Day's Range

$63.37 - $64.93

52wk Range

$50.56 - $66.41

Volume

129K

Avg Vol

Gross Margin

6.11%

Dividend Yield

3.12%

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Meat products will likely remain a staple of U.S. diets. If you’re looking to invest in the meat industry, Tyson Foods (TSN +1.30%) is a reasonable choice, especially if you want to bet on the continued consumption of meat.

Tyson certainly doesn’t have the pricing power of a packaged food company with well-known brands, given that meat is largely a commodity. Meat processing in the U.S. is highly concentrated among a small number of companies, such as Tyson, owning a relatively small number of massive facilities. The company’s results are partly dictated by supply and demand for beef, pork, and chicken, with margins heavily influenced by pricing.

The meat industry is contending with factors like inflation that may lead consumers to choose cheaper cuts or reduce meat consumption. Tyson's beef business has been facing challenges, including a decline in the nation's cattle herds.

To address these challenges, Tyson Foods has announced the closure of several plants. The company is focusing on its diversified protein portfolio, including chicken, beef, and pork, to meet consumer demand. Tyson Foods is still reporting profits, and revenue is growing.

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3. Mondelez International

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NASDAQ: MDLZ

Mondelez International

Today's Change

(0.30%) $0.17

Current Price

$57.24

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$73B

Day's Range

$56.84 - $57.48

52wk Range

$51.20 - $71.15

Volume

251K

Avg Vol

10M

Gross Margin

30.85%

Dividend Yield

3.44%

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NASDAQ: PEP

PepsiCo

Today's Change

(-0.45%) $-0.71

Current Price

$157.67

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$216B

Day's Range

$156.47 - $160.03

52wk Range

$127.60 - $171.48

Volume

7.8M

Avg Vol

7.6M

Gross Margin

54.22%

Dividend Yield

3.61%

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PepsiCo (PEP -0.45%) is another packaged food company with a large portfolio of leading brands. On the beverage side of the business, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and Gatorade top the list. On the food side, Lay’s, Doritos, Quaker Oats, and Cheetos are just a few examples from the company’s portfolio.

Over the last few years, PepsiCo has faced challenges. These have included declining sales volumes in North America, particularly in its snack and beverage businesses, due to consumer pullback amid inflation and shifting preferences.

Consumers are becoming more price-conscious and cutting back on discretionary items like snacks and sugary drinks, which is impacting PepsiCo's core businesses. The rise of health-conscious eating habits and the popularity of weight-loss drugs are also contributing to a decline in demand for traditional snacks and beverages.

PepsiCo is adopting a more granular pricing approach, focusing on value interventions for specific products and channels rather than a blanket promotional strategy. The company's international business has been a bright spot, helping to offset weakness in its North American operations and further strengthening its overall pricing power.

PepsiCo has paid consecutive quarterly cash dividends since 1965. The stock yields just shy of 4% based on current share prices, a yield that has risen lately as share prices have been weaker.

5. Beyond Meat

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NASDAQ: BYND

Beyond Meat

Today's Change

(5.19%) $0.04

Current Price

$0.82

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$381M

Day's Range

$0.82 - $0.97

52wk Range

$0.50 - $7.69

Volume

198M

Avg Vol

36M

Gross Margin

2.68%

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Beyond Meat (BYND +5.19%) is a top stock to watch if you want to invest in the future of food. The company's goal is to do for the meat aisle what almond and oat milk did for the dairy section: Make plant-based options a normal, everyday choice for everyone.

Instead of just targeting vegans, Beyond Meat uses advanced food science to make patties and sausages that look, smell, and taste like real beef and pork. This appeals to people who still like meat but want to eat less of it for their health or the environment. The big growth story here is that Beyond Meat is moving from being a specialty item to a fast-food staple.

The company has partnered with major names like McDonald's (MCD +1.55%) and Yum! Brands. Brands (YUM +2.05%) (which owns KFC and Pizza Hut) to get their products on menus worldwide. If Beyond Meat can make plant-based meat as cheap and tasty as the real thing, it could capture a huge chunk of the global meat market.

6. Sprouts Farmers Market

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NASDAQ: SFM

Sprouts Farmers Market

Today's Change

(1.31%) $0.96

Current Price

$74.15

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$7.0B

Day's Range

$71.52 - $74.63

52wk Range

$64.75 - $182.00

Volume

Avg Vol

2.8M

Gross Margin

37.09%

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Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM +1.31%) is a standout in the grocery world because it avoids the one-size-fits-all approach of giant retailers. Instead of massive, overwhelming warehouses, Sprouts focuses on smaller, easy-to-navigate stores that feel like an indoor farmers' market.

This model places produce right at the center of the store, attracting health-conscious shoppers who are looking for organic, keto, or plant-based items they can't always find at a typical supermarket. For investors, this creates a defensible niche too.

Sprouts has a fiercely loyal customer base that views its stores as a destination for wellness. With a strong balance sheet and a loyalty program designed to keep shoppers coming back, Sprouts is evolving from a regional favorite into a national growth engine in the trillion-dollar grocery industry.

7. Hormel Foods

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NYSE: HRL

Hormel Foods

Today's Change

(1.39%) $0.29

Current Price

$21.19

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$12B

Day's Range

$20.84 - $21.25

52wk Range

$20.32 - $31.86

Volume

5.6M

Avg Vol

4.8M

Gross Margin

15.33%

Dividend Yield

5.50%

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Hormel Foods' (HRL +1.39%) products are staples in almost every American pantry. While many people know it for SPAM, the company's portfolio is actually a massive collection of iconic brands like Skippy, Planters, and Jennie-O.

For investors, the appeal lies in this stability. Hormel is a Dividend King, meaning it has increased its dividend every single year for over 50 years. This makes it a go-to pick for those who want a reliable, income-generating stock that can weather economic storms better than most.

Hormel is moving toward becoming a global, branded food giant. This includes expanding its reach in foodservice (supplying restaurants) and growing its international presence through partnerships in markets like Indonesia and China. By focusing on higher-margin convenience foods and snacks, Hormel aims to prove that even a 130-year-old company can innovate and capture new generations of shoppers.

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Food Stocks FAQ

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About the Author

Rachel Warren is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, information technology, and consumer goods. Prior to The Motley Fool, Rachel was a paralegal and legal administrator. She holds a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from Liberty University School of Law.

TMFRachelW

Rachel Warren has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Beyond Meat and Sprouts Farmers Market. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $75 calls on Sprouts Farmers Market and short January 2028 $85 calls on Sprouts Farmers Market. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Best Food Stocks to Buy in 2026: Are They Right For Your Portfolio?

Key Points

Key Data Points

2. Tyson Foods

Key Data Points

3. Mondelez International

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

5. Beyond Meat

Key Data Points

6. Sprouts Farmers Market

Key Data Points

7. Hormel Foods

Key Data Points

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Best Consumer Discretionary Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest in Them

Best Growth Stocks to Buy in 2026

Best Retail Stocks to Buy in 2026: Are They Right for Your Portfolio?

Food Stocks FAQ

What are the Big 4 food companies?

What are the Big 4 food companies?

What food stocks pay dividends?

What food stocks pay dividends?

What food stocks did Warren Buffett own?

What food stocks did Warren Buffett own?

Are food stocks considered safe investments?

Are food stocks considered safe investments?

What are the most undervalued food stocks?

What are the most undervalued food stocks?

How do food stocks perform during a recession?

How do food stocks perform during a recession?

About the Author

Read Next

Stocks Mentioned

Premium Investing Services

Food Stocks FAQ

What are the Big 4 food companies?

What are the Big 4 food companies?

What food stocks pay dividends?

What food stocks pay dividends?

What food stocks did Warren Buffett own?

What food stocks did Warren Buffett own?

Are food stocks considered safe investments?

Are food stocks considered safe investments?

What are the most undervalued food stocks?

What are the most undervalued food stocks?

How do food stocks perform during a recession?

How do food stocks perform during a recession?

Best Consumer Staples Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest in Them

Best Consumer Discretionary Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest in Them

Best Growth Stocks to Buy in 2026

Best Retail Stocks to Buy in 2026: Are They Right for Your Portfolio?

Key Data Points

Top food stocks to consider

1. General Mills

3. Mondelez International

Different types of food stocks

Pros and cons of investing in food stocks

Factors to consider before investing in food stocks

How to invest in food stocks

Key trends in the food industry

Related investing topics

FAQ

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

2. Tyson Foods

4. PepsiCo

5. Beyond Meat

6. Sprouts Farmers Market

7. Hormel Foods