Mushrooms, however, are not affected by the difference in food values mentioned by Barbara.

At half speed, the six food points for a mushroom (and especially the 35 for a red one) become proportionately more valuable when only five is gained by a fish being caught, for example. By keeping a sharp eye open for mushrooms I've been able to keep the villagers going on mushrooms alone through periods of famine, sometimes even building up food stocks.