6 Food Stocks to Fatten Up Your Portfolio

The terms “food”, “fat” and “American” are pretty much synonymous. Why? Because, despite the market woes of yesteryear, consumer staples still have the ability to be shoved into millions of faces and consumed on a daily basis. And, as it comes to no surprise, many of these stocks did overwhelmingly well in 2011. Investors may have been starved for a better economy, but their stomachs weren’t.

I watch more than 5,000 publicly traded companies with my Portfolio Grader tool, ranking companies by a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. And this week, I’ve got six food stocks to fatten up your portfolio.

Here they are, in alphabetical order. Each one of these stocks gets an �A� or �B� according to my research, meaning it is a �strong buy� or �buy.�

ConAgra Foods (NYSE:CAG) is a food company� known best for its brands: Banquet, Chef Boyardee, David Seeds, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Pam and Snack Pack.�In the last year, CAG stock has jumped nearly 19%, compared to smaller gains by the broader markets. CAG stock gets a �B� for its ability to exceed the consensus earnings estimates on Wall Street, a �B� for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past month and a �B� for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of CAG stock.

General Mills (NYSE:GIS) is a supplier of branded and unbranded food products in 15 countries. GIS stock has climbed 12% since this time last year. GIS stock gets an �A� for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of GIS stock.

Heinz (NYSE:HNZ) has become synonymous for ketchup and other condiment products in the U.S. It also has a great international appeal.� A 9% gain for HNZ in the last year has left shareholders pleased with their purchase. HNZ gets an �A� for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of HNZ stock.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) is famous worldwide for its chocolate and sugar confectionary products and made our list of 10 Best Stocks for 2012. Investors have watched its stock value increase nearly 26% in the last 12 months. HSY gets a �B� for operating margin growth, a �B� for earnings momentum and an �A� for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of HSY stock.

Kraft Foods (NYSE:KFT) manufactures and markets a wide range of packaged food products. Recently, it struck a deal withSodaStream International (NASDAQ:SODA) to make its top brands available on SodaStream�s in-home carbonation systems. Since last January, KFT is up 21%. KFT gets a �B� for earnings growth, a �B� for earnings momentum and a �B� for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past month in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of KFT stock.

Unilever (NYSE:UN) produces food products, personal care products and home care products. UN stock is up 8% in the last 12 months. UN gets a quantitative grade of �A� in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of UN stock.

Get more analysis of these picks and other publicly traded stocks with Louis Navellier�s Portfolio Grader tool, a 100% free stock rating tool that measures both quantitative buying pressure and eight fundamental factors.