That first option works with coconuts, too -- when you see that the trees are very low (less than 10), put all your villagers on the trees. If you are quick, you can catch the ones that don't succeed right away and put them back on the tree until they climb.

This trick works because the game doesn't remove the food from the trees or the field until the food gets put in the bin (works with the VV1 berry bush, too). [It's almost a cheat because it's a sneaky way of getting around the limits put into the game, just like putting multiple kids on 'shrooms, but sometimes you are just stuck....]

I think the stew is much easier .

-- jen