/*
             * This is what you have.
             */
            private void eatIfPossible()
            {
                lookForFoodInNeighborhood();
            }

            /*
             * This is what I think you should have.
             */
            private void eatIfPossible()
            {
                AlgaeColony ac;
                ac = lookForFoodInNeighborhood();

                // You can now use the data from the lookForFoodInNeighborhood
                // method in the object ac!
            }