I know that in 1.8 villagers will only mate if they are willing and that willingness can be unlocked through trading, but can't willingness be attained by throwing food at them? I've tested this in a singleplayer world by spawning in some villagers and throwing food at them. They picked up the food but the ones I have on my island won't. Have I done something wrong?
What a villager does: "mmmm food, yum yum.... *sticks in pocket*.... *Random stranger* Hey dude! wanna buy 3 bread for 1 emerald!?"