Crossword Genius

When to take the fare (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mealtime

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'when to take the fare' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'when to take the fare' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'when' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is found in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is present in the answer.
'fare' could be 'lime' (lime is a kind of food) and 'lime' is located in the remaining letters.
The remaining letters 'ma' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mealtime that I've seen before include "breakfast, perhaps" , "Opportunity to eat" , "Gong sounds for this?" , "when flight attendants are active" , "polenta, for instance, a herb is called for" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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