While it sounds like you may have received some inexcusable drink service, the lack of meals does not surprise me. In my experience, many of the EWR-FL flights that meet the meal time requirements still do not serve meals (in F or Y). I think we can thank the LCCs for that...

Also, as noted EWR-TPA is not BusinessFirst service. While the seats may be BF seats (on the 752), the service will always be very far from real BF service.

It's a short flight - my best advice is to eat before/after if you are hungry and use the flight as time to take a quick nap!