i'm new to this game and I have 17 villagers. 7 adults and 10 kids. I never have enough food. And tech points take so long to build up I feel like it will take forever to get any of the 2nd tech levels. I have 2 people working on food and all the rest reseaching but still it takes forever... Is there anything I'm doing wrong?

I meant that I have all the level 2 techs but it seems like it will take forever for level 3... Sorry

With that many villagers, you're pushing the limits of what the farm can support. I usually hold off on purchasing the other technologies (and breeding that many villagers) until I have level 3 of Harvesting. If you try leaving the game on overnight (on AC power), the villagers will have produced more research points for you than if you leave it off all night. The speed you set will depend upon how stable your village is - it might be dangerous to leave it on fast speed overnight if food or disease is a problem. An Island Event could cause trouble, too.

Tech points build up slowly in the beginning, since all of your villagers have little experience in research. As your scientists become more proficient, their productivity will increase and the research points will come much more easily. As your children mature to age 14, you can put them on research and see much more progress!

Once your villagers have level 3 of Harvesting (and I'd really work on that one as your next purchase), food will not be a problem for your tribe. There are some real benefits to having master farmers once you get that last level of Harvesting.

Yes, the crabs are the the real benefit. I was trying not to reveal everything to someone who had just started the game.