Food is the most important early resource because it determines how quickly and smoothly you can get your economy going by training <link="proto:Villager Greek">Villagers</link>, <link="proto:Villager Egyptian">Laborers</link>, <link="proto:Villager Norse">Gatherers</link>, or <link="proto:Villager Atlantean">Citizens</link>.

Hunting is the fastest source of Food, followed by gathering berries or chickens, herding animals such as goats, fishing and then farming. However, both fishing and farming can ultimately be upgraded in later Ages to be very fast sources of Food.