I recently made a booking with travel agent for 4 segments (JFK - MIA, MIA - MEX, MEX-DFW, DFW-LGA). 2 of them (MIA - MEX & DFW - LGA) show "meal at cost" in the comments. I never seen this kind of description listed on any of my itineraries and was just curious to what it means. I've googled the term and found a result here on FT from 2015 about Air Lingus but it only mention this description and doesn't actually explain what it means.

My logic is if "food for purchase" means they would sell customers food at a profit (ie. meal costs $2 they will sell for $10) but with the same logic applied does it mean "meal at cost" is one where there is no profit (ie. $2 meal sold for $2)?

I've had 100% success with upgrades this year and pretty sure all 4 segments will be in FC but the curious George in me wants to know what "meal at cost" means.