Whole Foods Market, Inc. (WFM), Danone SA (ADR) (DANOY), Annies Inc (BNNY): 3 Companies That Are Good for Your Health

With healthcare costs on the rise, people demand healthier choices from their restaurants and grocery stores. Companies that cater to this rising trend have made their shareholders rich. The three companies below sell healthy food to a public who wants to live longer and curb ever rising healthcare costs.

The growing healthy grocery store

Founded in 1980, grocery store chain Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM) sells natural and organic food. Whole Foods Market believes in mutually beneficial and “conscious” capitalism. Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM) views everyone involved with its business as “stakeholders” meaning that everyone involved should come away rewarded in some way. Moreover, the company holds its vendors to the highest quality standards in order to deliver the best products to its customers.

Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM) provides innovative ways to save on employee healthcare costs through incentive programs such as the Total Health Immersion Program where employees get extra discounts if they meet certain health criteria. According to the 2012 annual report, Whole Foods Market saw year over year decrease in medical claims and hospital stays.

The company fundamentals demonstrate the fact that consumers respond well to the company’s products. In 2012, revenue and free cash flow increased a whopping 16% and 19% respectively. Cash and investments represent 38% of its stockholder’s equity. The company possesses little long-term debt. Its return on equity calculates to 12%.

Last year the company prudently paid out 20% of its free cash flow in dividends. Currently the company pays $0.40 per share per year in dividends yielding 0.8%, which isn’t bad considering Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM) still resides in a growth phase.

Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM) still remains a relatively small grocery store chain. Last year the company built 24 stores ending FY 2012 with 335 stores, and it is on track to build 29 stores in FY 2013. Increasing healthcare costs as well as the desire to live longer will serve as incentives for the consumer to shop at Whole Foods Market.

Yogurt anyone?

French food conglomerate Danone SA (ADR) (OTCMKTS:DANOY) makes, sells, and distribute healthy foods such as Dannon yogurt, bottled water, and baby food throughout the world.

Looking at a breakdown by products category, Danone SA (ADR) (OTCMKTS:DANOY) showed the highest sales gains in baby nutrition, waters, and medical nutrition growing 12%, 10%, and 6% respectively. Geographically, the company experienced the highest level of growth in Asia, growing sales 17% in that region.