Crossword Genius

Restrict food from ten to nine, say, finishing at noon (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ration

'restrict food' is the definition.
(as in rationing food)

'ten to nine say finishing at noon' is the wordplay.
'ten to nine say' becomes 'ratio' (10:9 is a ratio).
'finishing at' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'noon' becomes 'n' (abbreviation).
'ratio'+'n'='RATION'

'from' is the link.

(Other definitions for ration that I've seen before include "Restrict the supply of" , "Limit, share" , "Fixed share" , "Helping" , "Restrict the consumption of something" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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