Some civs let you create plantations that bring in a steady income, but tasking villagers to a mine is much more efficient. Don't forget to corral them toward your Town Center in order to better keep your hunters safe from the enemy. Yes, you can build farms, livestock pens, and some buildings with attached berry bushes, but one of the quickest ways to get food is to follow a herd. In Age of Empires III, however, there's a far larger focus on hunting that can carry later into the game. In Age of Empires II, gathering food from livestock and huntables is a bridge to get you into farming, which is where the real economy kicks off.
Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)