10 food stocks to watch

Considering investing in food stocks? While the best food stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals, we've identified some food stocks that are worth keeping an eye on in the consumer staples sector. Keep reading to learn more about food stocks and how to start investing.

10 popular food stocks to watch

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the consumer staples industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap stocks.

Best stock	1-year return	Market cap	Exchange	Volume	Buy on Questrade
General Mills (GIS.US)	-22.72% General Mills's 1-year return based on the closing price as of November 5, 2025.	$18.6 billion (USD)	NYSE	12,693,477	Buy now
Costco Wholesale (COST.US)	11.92% Costco Wholesale's 1-year return based on the closing price as of November 5, 2025.	$461.1 billion (USD)	NASDAQ	2,585,010	Buy now
Loblaw Companies (L.TO)	22.69% Loblaw Companies's 1-year return based on the closing price as of November 4, 2025.	$80.5 billion (CAD)	Toronto Stock Exchange	928,052	Buy now
Walmart (WMT.US)	27.30% Walmart's 1-year return based on the closing price as of November 5, 2025.	$982.9 billion (USD)	NASDAQ	29,186,958	Buy now
Metro (MRU.TO)	(data unavailable)	$20.6 billion (CAD)	Toronto Stock Exchange	592,684	Buy now
Kroger Company (KR.US)	9.22% Kroger Company's 1-year return based on the closing price as of November 5, 2025.	$40.4 billion (USD)	NYSE	5,680,990	Buy now
Starbucks Corporation (SBUX.US)	33.32% Starbucks Corporation's 1-year return based on the closing price as of November 5, 2025.	$119 billion (USD)	NASDAQ	10,180,179	Buy now
Restaurant Brands International (QSR.TO)	6.85% Restaurant Brands International's 1-year return based on the closing price as of November 5, 2025.	$46.9 billion (CAD)	Toronto Stock Exchange	1,560,900	Buy now
McDonald’s Corporation (MCD.US)	-8.33% McDonald’s Corporation's 1-year return based on the closing price as of November 5, 2025.	$188 billion (USD)	NYSE	11,509,153	Buy now
Yum China (YUMC.US)	4.35% Yum China's 1-year return based on the closing price as of November 5, 2025.	$15.2 billion (USD)	NYSE	1,647,400	Buy now

The values in this table are accurate as of the market close on November 3, 2026, or the most recent data available. Volume refers to the number of shares traded during the day.

What to look for when investing in food stock

The consumer staples industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering food stocks to buy, it's important that you have access to vital information about a company's financial health, leadership team, and market positioning.

Also keep in mind that, while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look for stocks to offer steadier gains over time.

How to invest in food stock

1. Research the consumer staples industry. Before investing, learn about the food stock sector, its trends and the companies within it. Look at each company's financial health, potential for growth and past performance to identify stocks that fit your investment goals.
2. Choose a stock trading platform. Compare trading fees, access to trading tools and user interface options. We've identified reliable trading platforms to help narrow down your options below or check out the best stock trading apps in Canada to find one that suits your needs.
3. Open and fund your account. Sign up with your personal details and link a bank account or funding method to deposit money before you start trading.
4. Select the food stock(s) to buy. Search by company name or ticker symbol, like GIS or COST. Compare key metrics such as market cap, price history and earnings per share to pick the best stock for your strategy.
5. Buy the stock and monitor performance. Place your order to buy the stock and track its performance over time. Consider setting alerts, signing up for industry newsletters or using platform research tools to stay up to date on market changes.

Our top picks for where to buy food stocks

Are food stocks a good investment?

While it's possible to turn a profit investing in food stocks, keep in mind that—like any investment—food stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions both in the market and in the consumer staples industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest.

What are the best food stocks?

A lot of factors go into picking the best food stocks. Stock performance can be impacted by factors like market conditions, company decisions and global events. Plus, what may be a strong food stock investment for one person might not be suitable for another.

That said, we rounded up this list of popular food stocks in or related to the consumer staples industry to help narrow down your options:

• General Mills (GIS)
• Costco Wholesale (COST)
• Loblaw Companies (L)
• Walmart (WMT)
• Metro (MRU)
• Kroger Company (KR)
• Starbucks Corporation (SBUX)
• Restaurant Brands International (QSR)
• McDonald’s Corporation (MCD)
• Yum China (YUMC)

Keep in mind that this is not a "best" list or a recommendation. It highlights some food stocks for informational purposes only and does not indicate past or future performance or investment advice. We do not guarantee any investment performance.

We've outlined detailed company and stock performance details for each food stock below. Keep reading to decide if any of these companies are the right investment for you.

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General Mills (GIS)

General Mills, Inc. manufactures and markets branded consumer food in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: North America Retail; International; North America Pet; and North America Foodservice.

It offers snacks, including grain, fruit and savory snacks, nutrition bars, and frozen hot snacks; ready-to-eat cereal; convenient meals comprising meal kits, ethnic meals, pizza, soup, side dish mixes, frozen breakfast, and frozen entrees; wholesome natural pet food; refrigerated and frozen dough; baking mixes and ingredients; and ice cream products.

Closing stock price	$35.85
Market Capitalization The total market value of General Mills's outstanding shares	$18.6 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$6.2 billion
Profit margin	-4.89%
Revenue (TTM)	$18.3 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	-$1.64
52-week stock price range	$30.60 – $47.04

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on November 3, 2026.

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Costco Wholesale (COST)

Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Sweden, Iceland, and New Zealand. It offers merchandise, including sundries, dry groceries, candies, coolers, freezers, liquor, and tobacco; non-food merchandise comprising consumer electronics, appliances, small electrics, health and beauty aids, hardware, lawn and garden, sporting goods, tires, toys and seasonal, automotive, stamps, tickets, apparel, furniture, domestics, housewares, special order kiosks, and jewelry; and fresh food, such as meat, produce, deli, and bakery products.

The company is also involved in warehouse ancillary operations, which include gasoline, pharmacies, food courts, optical, hearing aids, and tire installation centers.

Closing stock price	$1,046.47
Market Capitalization The total market value of Costco Wholesale's outstanding shares	$461.1 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$38.7 billion
Profit margin	3.04%
Revenue (TTM)	$303.2 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$21.34
52-week stock price range	$839.11 – $1,093.14

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on November 3, 2026.

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Loblaw Companies (L)

Loblaw Companies Limited, a food and pharmacy company, provides grocery, pharmacy and healthcare services, health and beauty products, apparel, general merchandise, financial services, and wireless mobile products and services in Canada and the United States. It operates through two segments, Retail and Financial Services.

The Retail segment operates corporate and franchise-owned retail food, and associate-owned drug stores.

Closing stock price	C$68.50
Market Capitalization The total market value of Loblaw Companies's outstanding shares	C$80.5 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	C$20.4 billion
Profit margin	4.30%
Revenue (TTM)	C$65.1 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	C$2.22
52-week stock price range	C$55.47 – C$71.06

All dollar amounts in this table are in CAD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 28, 2026.

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Walmart (WMT)

Walmart Inc. engages in the operation of retail and wholesale stores and clubs, ecommerce websites, and mobile applications worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club U.S. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; and ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites.

It offers grocery items, including dry grocery, snacks, dairy, meat, produce, deli and bakery, frozen foods, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, as well as consumables, such as health and beauty aids, pet supplies, household chemicals, paper goods, and baby products; and fuel and other categories.

Closing stock price	$129.17
Market Capitalization The total market value of Walmart's outstanding shares	$982.9 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$182.8 billion
Profit margin	3.00%
Revenue (TTM)	$735.8 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$2.76
52-week stock price range	$98.05 – $134.84

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on November 3, 2026.

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Metro (MRU)

Metro Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer, franchisor, distributor, and manufacturer in the food and pharmaceutical sectors in Canada. The company operates supermarkets, discount stores, neighbourhood stores, specialized stores, and pharmacies that provide fresh and grocery products, baked goods, prepared food products, meats, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, frozen food products, bakery products, prepared meals, delicatessen items, fruits and vegetables, frozen products and pastries.

It also manufactures ready-to-eat meals, salads, dips, pastries, pies, breads, and cakes; generic drugs under Pro Doc trademark; and provides online grocery shopping services.

Closing stock price	C$97.04
Market Capitalization The total market value of Metro's outstanding shares	C$20.6 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	C$4.4 billion
Profit margin	4.00%
Revenue (TTM)	C$22.5 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	C$4.21
52-week stock price range	C$85.87 – C$99.59

All dollar amounts in this table are in CAD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 29, 2026.

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Kroger Company (KR)

The Kroger Co. operates as a food and drug retailer in the United States. The company operates combination food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price impact warehouses.

Its combination food and drug stores offer natural food and organic sections, pharmacies, general merchandise, pet centers, fresh seafood, and organic produce; and its multi-department stores provide apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, electronics, automotive products, and toys.

Closing stock price	$68.97
Market Capitalization The total market value of Kroger Company's outstanding shares	$40.4 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$35.7 billion
Profit margin	0.73%
Revenue (TTM)	$149.3 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$1.80
52-week stock price range	$53.78 – $75.66

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on November 3, 2026.

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Starbucks Corporation (SBUX)

Starbucks Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a roaster, marketer, and retailer of coffee internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Channel Development.

Its stores offer coffee, tea, and other beverages, roasted whole beans and ground coffees, complementary food, packaged coffees, single-serve products, and ready-to-drink beverages; and various food products, such as pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch items.

Closing stock price	$109.70
Market Capitalization The total market value of Starbucks Corporation's outstanding shares	$119 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$8.5 billion
Profit margin	6.67%
Revenue (TTM)	$37.9 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$2.21
52-week stock price range	$77.07 – $109.88

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on November 3, 2026.

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Restaurant Brands International (QSR)

Restaurant Brands International Inc. operates as a quick service restaurant company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through six segments: Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Firehouse Subs, International, and Restaurant Holdings.

The company owns and franchises Tim Hortons, a coffee and baked good restaurant chain that offers beverages, sandwiches, wraps, flatbread pizzas, and others; Burger King, a quick service hamburger restaurant chain that offers flame-grilled hamburgers, chicken, and other sandwiches; Popeyes, a quick service chicken concept that offers a Louisiana style menu, including fried bone-in chicken, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, wings, fried shrimp, and regional items; and Firehouse Subs, which offers subs with meats and cheese, as well as chili, soups, soft drinks, and other sides.

Closing stock price	C$101.10
Market Capitalization The total market value of Restaurant Brands International's outstanding shares	C$46.9 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	C$3.3 billion
Profit margin	13.13%
Revenue (TTM)	C$9.7 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	C$5.50
52-week stock price range	C$86.73 – C$112.10

All dollar amounts in this table are in CAD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 29, 2026.

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McDonald’s Corporation (MCD)

McDonald's Corporation owns, operates, and franchises restaurants under the McDonald's brand in the United States and internationally. It offers food and beverages, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, various chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, frozen desserts, sundaes, soft serve cones, cookies, pies, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages; and full or limited breakfast, as well as sells various other products during limited-time promotions.

The company owns and operates franchised restaurants under various structures, including conventional franchise, developmental license, or affiliate.

Closing stock price	$280.22
Market Capitalization The total market value of McDonald’s Corporation's outstanding shares	$188 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$15.9 billion
Profit margin	31.72%
Revenue (TTM)	$27.7 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$12.31
52-week stock price range	$229.20 – $335.18

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on November 3, 2026.

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Yum China (YUMC)

Yum China Holdings, Inc. owns, operates, and franchises restaurants in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through two KFC, Pizza Hut, and All Other segments.

It operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Lavazza, Little Sheep, and Huang Ji Huang concepts.

Closing stock price	$45.78
Market Capitalization The total market value of Yum China's outstanding shares	$15.2 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$2.5 billion
Profit margin	7.84%
Revenue (TTM)	$12.4 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$2.73
52-week stock price range	$39.72 – $57.33

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 29, 2026.

Compare trading platforms to buy food stock

Compare special offers, low fees and a wide range of investment options among popular trading platforms in Canada. Note that the dollar amounts in the table below are in CAD.

Related: Compare the best stock trading platforms in Canada

Bottom line

If you're considering adding food stocks to your portfolio, make sure you thoroughly look into any companies before investing to help mitigate risk. We've compiled a list of food stocks to help narrow down your options. Then choose a legitimate stock trading platform to start investing. After that it comes down to monitoring the consumer staples industry to know when to buy, sell or hold. How to buy stocks in Canada

Frequently asked questions about food stocks

• What are food stocks?

  Food stocks are shares of companies that either directly work in the food sector or operate within related industries. Investors interested in buying food stocks may be looking to take advantage of market trends or lock in investments for the long haul.

• What is the top food stock to buy in 2026?

  Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to choose a single "top" food stock to invest in due to factors like market fluctuations, company management and shifting economic trends. These can all change—sometimes overnight—how a stock performs. It's best to do your own research to decide which companies fit within your risk tolerance. Reviewing a company's financial reports and past stock performance can help you decide if it's worth investing in.

• Where can I find information and regular updates about the consumer staples industry?

  You can keep track of the latest consumer staples news and updates by signing up for financial newsletters, visiting financial news sites, reading company investor relations pages and using market research platforms. Many online brokerages also offer sector reports, stock screeners and alerts to help you track movements in your stock performance or updates in or related to the consumer staples industry.

Check these other commodities and investment sectors

If you're thinking about diversifying your portfolio and investing in sectors beyond food stocks, here are some others you can consider:

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