Initially lacking punch (initially lacking): long time to get something to eat (8)
I believe the answer is:
luncheon
'something to eat' is the definition.
(luncheon is a kind of food)
'initially lacking punch initially lacking long time' is the wordplay.
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
'initially lacking' means to remove the first letter.
'long time' becomes 'eon' (eon is a kind of long time).
The first letter of 'lacking' is 'l'.
'punch' with its initial letter removed is 'unch'.
'l'+'unch'+'eon'='LUNCHEON'
'to get' is the link.
(Other definitions for luncheon that I've seen before include "part of formal board" , "formal occasion" , "Food" , "midday menu" , "Midday meal" .)