Meals on American Airlines?
 

We are flying from Rochester, NY to Dallas-Ft.Worth via Chicago and then from DFW to Mexico City. On both of these flights meals are listed only for first class. Does that mean we are going to fly the entire distance from upstate NY to Mexico and not be served any food?

yes

And they want to get people back in the air?

They are encouraging travelers to bring their own food. Take for Korean kimchi or Japanese pickled dicon on the plane.

I think I've flown when they said no meal, but at the gate before you board you grab one of their 'bistro' bags, which just contains a yogurt, green banana and OJ. (but that was before 9/11.)

one time i took an aa morning flight from miami to dfw. everybody took a bistro bag. when we got on the plane, they asked us to give the bags back because they were all from the day before. gross...

I fly AA frequently. Believe me, you are better off without the meal.