Must say that for me the food source it self doesn't really matter. As soon as I am able I craft myself a Quantum helmet(the first part of the set I make) and start making Canned food. Keep 1 stack of canned food in my inventory and half a stack in my tool enderpouch. Empty cans get enderpouched back home and automatically filled and returned to tool enderpouch. Canning machine just draws on what ever food is available.