I was very low on food and my banana tree had some fruit. Brought my chief over to direct the harvest and accidentally placed him on the food bin. It said in the line something like Chief creating magic so I let him go for it. There was a sound of a gong and presto I had more food. That happened 3 times during this one incident for the total of about 300 food.

Follow up note: I just placed the chief on the food bin and it said he could only do it once every 24 hours.

Yup. That's the first power of the chief.

I just did that on my new tribe and the chief only created food one time for 100. I don't remember how many the chief created the first time on my first tribe. Is 100 the first time normal? (early early in the game)

This was my first time and I got about 300 food so I suppose it varies. I was so excited. LOL...

I love the fact the chief gives food too. Allows me to keep 2 builders on the first hut and use mushies for food until my "mom" is ready to farm.

If you click the mask, you can see some pretty helpful tips, such as this one, "The bigger the tribe, the more influence your chief has."