I reported game_6253 as a bug earlier, about Ashdar Imperials suddenly having a trend of all their remaining colonies suddenly having population growth again after suffering mass starvation, despite not actually having any farms anywhere and only existing on null/low fertility worlds. Even if it's not a bug per se, I'm baffled as to what was going on, and would love to hear it if I could be enlightened.

They're using the Synthesize Food activity.

Ah! That makes sense. Thanks for letting me know!