NOT TRUE. On Continental from Houston to Los Angeles, you get a tray of food. And on the round trip as well.
Of course, you must define what is a tray of food. To me if they bring you a tray with food, sandwich, etc. you have a tray of food.
Cross country flights do not have anything to do with a tray of food or not, depending on the airline, I guess.
We need the imbedded version, the portable one along with food, magazines, drink, is far too much for a tray to hold.