When you use the new “Loot” button on the Hearthling’s normal resources (ie: Wood, Silkweed), they prioritize it to the top of their to-do list and rush out to grab it (thanks for that 
), but! they pick up up to 5 items at a time and normally they only pick up one at a time.
Do they have an emergency backpack?
Could it be that they have a Backpack for Looting? O.o
Yes, I think they do. Otherwise, every time you sacked an enemy camp, you would have workmen running back and forth for ages to loot its stockpile etc. I assume taking 5 things at once was a way to moderate that, and it’s likely just a bug that you can use it on stuff that WASN’T originally someone elses 
Shhhhh…Hush, best way to get the food (berries) together for early game!