In this article, we will look at the 7 Best Future Food Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.
A big shift is taking place in the global food industry. This shift is driven by increasing health awareness among consumers, leading to responsible food production. As such, there’s a strong demand seen in the organic food market where significant innovations are taking place.
The global organic food market, valued at $244.82 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $489.75 billion by 2028, driven by a CAGR of 15.1%. This growth projection reflects the growing consumer shift toward adopting organic products in their daily diet. The growth in the sector is highlighted by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and IFOAM-Organics International. According to these sources, the area under organic management surpassed 96.4 million by the end of 2022, while the number of organic farmers has risen by 26% to 4.5 million.
Meanwhile, technology is playing its part in the food industry as well. The innovations in the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence, and supply chain technologies are driving technological adoption in the industry. The technology adoption helps reduce not only costs but also food waste. Thus, it is playing a significant role in helping companies overcome ongoing inflationary pressures. The ongoing inflationary impact is evident in the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) May 2025 Food Price Outlook, where food prices are projected to grow by 2.9% in 2025.
Thus, food companies are striving to strike a balance between driving innovation, aligning with consumer trends, and managing inflationary pressures.
With this backdrop, let’s now move on to our list of the 7 Best Future Food Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.
A lab technician analyzing natural food protection ingredients to ensure quality products.
Methodology
To create our list of the 7 Best Future Food Stocks to Buy According to Analysts, we used the Finviz stock screener to compile a list of food companies that are striving to maintain a balance between driving innovation and aligning with consumer trends. From this list, we picked companies with the highest upside potential as per analysts. We also considered the hedge fund sentiment toward these stocks as of Q1 2025, which was extracted from the Insider Monkey database tracking over 1,000 hedge fund managers. Finally, we ranked the stocks in ascending order of the number of hedge funds with stakes in the respective stocks.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
7. United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26
Average Upside Potential: 22.25%
United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI) is among the 7 best future food stocks to buy.
The company reported strong results for Q3 2025 with a 7.5% increase in sales and a 21% growth in adjusted EBITDA. Meanwhile, an IT breach was announced that disrupted the company’s operations. As a result, UNFI has withheld updated guidance until the company finalizes the full financial impact of the event. Due to the disruption outweighing the strong financial results, BMO Capital lowered its price target on UNFI from $32 to $25, maintaining a ‘Market Perform’ rating. This cautious stance highlights concerns over sluggish momentum due to the cyber incident.
Nevertheless, the company’s adjusted EBITDA guidance of $157 million, along with strong performance in the wholesale natural product segment, underscores its resilience, and the segment’s sales also rose 12% in the quarter, making it one of the best future food stocks.
United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI), operating through wholesale and retail segments, distributes natural, organic, and clean-label products, establishing itself in the health-conscious consumer market.
6. Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE:SG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27
Average Upside Potential: 109.88%
Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE:SG) remains one of the 7 best future food stocks to buy according to analysts.
Wells Fargo has expressed its expectation that Sweetgreen, Inc.’s (NYSE:SG) fundamentals will improve in the second half of 2025. The analyst supports this expectation with faster throughput, operational improvements, high-teens unit growth, and over 40% cash-on-cash returns. As such, Wells Fargo has initiated coverage of Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE:SG) with an ‘Overweight’ rating and a $19 price target on June 17, 2025. Thus, the analyst thinks that the company is poised for strong expansion in the near future, making it one of the best future food stocks.
Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE:SG) runs several fast-food restaurants with a mission to build healthier communities by providing people with healthy food. It does so by developing a transparent supply chain, investing in local farmers and growers.
5. Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32
Average Upside Potential: 77.91%
Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT) remains one of the 7 best future food stocks to buy according to analysts, reflecting its strong growth potential in the premium pet food market.
Citing concerns about overly optimistic growth expectations, UBS gave a ‘Sell’ rating to Freshpet stock with a $65 price target on June 16, 2025. The analyst called out the company’s top and bottom-line estimates as too high, which are in the mid-to-high teens growth range, as implied by its pricing. The analyst believes this will lead to valuation contraction.
Based on the company’s guidance for 2025, it projects 15%-18% revenue growth, which would result in $190-$210 million in adjusted EBITDA. Meanwhile, Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT) surpassed analyst estimates in Q1 2025, where it reported an 18% YoY increase in sales and 45.7% growth in its adjusted gross margin.
Thus, Freshpet, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:FRPT) short-term performance is one to keep an eye on.
The company is a manufacturer and distributor of fresh food and treats for dogs and cats in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. It is one of the best future food stocks.
4. The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 37
Average Upside Potential: 22.86%
The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) is on our list of the 7 best future food stocks to buy according to analysts.
The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) reported better-than-expected performance in Q4 2025. However, the company’s forecast for fiscal 2026 showed a potential 11% drop in EPS. This was 13% lower than Stifel’s previous forecast. Thus, on June 11, 2025, the analyst lowered the price target on the company’s stock from $120 to $106, maintaining a ‘Hold’ rating following its 4th quarter announcement.
Furthermore, Stifel also attributes the stock price downgrade to weakness in the company’s Coffee and Sweet Baked Goods segments. The analyst lowered fiscal 2026 EPS guidance by $1.43 per share to $8.95, which is 13% below its previous projection.
Despite the stock downgrade by Stifel, The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) maintains financial stability on an overall basis, boasting a strong portfolio of food products. This includes a growing range of organic peanut butter, premium coffee, and natural fruit spreads. It is one of the best future food stocks.
3. Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39
Average Upside Potential: 13.48%
Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) is one of the 7 best future food stocks to buy according to analysts.
UBS maintained a ‘Hold’ rating on Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) on June 16, 2025, amid growth pressures and a projected decrease in earnings per share by fiscal 2026. However, most of these concerns are already reflected in the company’s current low valuation.
Meanwhile, its strong financial stability, supported by a 6.49% dividend yield and 14% free cash flow yield, helps balance the company’s risk-to-reward profile. Moreover, the company streamlined its portfolio, reducing debt by finalizing the sale of its Chef Boyardee and Van de Kam’s brands.
Furthermore, Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG)’s recent launch of 50 new frozen food items in June 2025 is a demonstration of its commitment toward aligning with evolving consumer preferences. The company boasts a well-established portfolio, consisting of Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, and Slim Jim. It is one of the best future food stocks.
2. General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 43
Average Upside Potential: 14.76%
General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) is among the 7 best future food stocks to buy according to analysts.
Wells Fargo lowered the price target on the company’s stock from $61 to $55 on June 16, 2025, maintaining an ‘Equal Weight’ rating. The analyst attributed it to short-term headwinds such as ongoing pressures from weak consumer confidence and challenges within its snacks and Pet food segment.
Meanwhile, General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) is striving to bring strong innovation and marketing for its key food brands. It plans to spend $100 million on operational improvements to fuel its future expansion. GIS is one of the best future food stocks.
General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) manufactures and sells a range of branded consumer foods across the globe, with a strong focus on health-conscious options.
1. Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 52
Average Upside Potential: 13.48%
Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) is one of the best future food stocks to buy according to analysts.
As announced on June 16, 2025, Albertsons Media Collective, Albertsons Companies, Inc.’s (NYSE:ACI) retail media arm, collaborated with STATACACHA to leverage its leading interactive marketing technologies.
Under this partnership, Albertsons Media Collective will launch its in-store digital display network, designed to transform the shopping experience, boost product visibility, and market selected food brands. These screens would allow companies to influence customer decisions, provide meal inspiration, and track increases in sales.
“At Albertsons Cos., we’ve identified a significant opportunity to enhance our in-store customers’ shopping experience by delivering relevant and impactful messaging at the point of purchase,” said Jennifer Saenz, Chief Commercial Officer at Albertsons Cos. “Our partnership with STRATACACHE enables brand partners to engage directly with our shoppers at this key moment, providing them with compelling offers, meal inspiration and timely information.”
Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) runs food and drug retail stores across the U.S. Its portfolio consists of grocery products, pharmacy services, health care products, and others related services. It is one of the best future food stocks.
While we acknowledge the potential of ACI to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ACI and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: Billionaire Glenn Russell Dubin’s 10 Stock Picks with Huge Upside Potential and 10 Low Risk High Reward Stocks Set to Triple by 2030.
Disclosure: None. Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily e-newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email below.
