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Mana Nutrition in Fitzgerald produces ready-to-use therapeutic food distributed to malnourished children across the world, primarily through contracts with USAID. On Wednesday the federal contracts were abruptly canceled.

FEDS CANCEL MILLION$ IN CONTRACTS WITH FITZGERALD NONPROFIT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Fitzgerald nonprofit that produces a fortified peanut paste shipped around the globe to fight malnutrition had millions of dollars in contracts canceled Wednesday by the federal government.

"All of our contracts were canceled," which total nearly $50 million, Mark Moore, CEO and cofounder of Mana Nutrition, told the Tifton Grapevine on Thursday. " We’re still staffed; we’re moving to get past this."

Mana employs approximately 135 people in Fitzgerald, where the nonprofit has been operating since 2010. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which the Trump Administration is dismantling, accounts for more than 90% of Mana’s sales.

"There are no layoffs; we’re not crippled yet," Moore said, but added, "it's very concerning." 

Mana produces Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) composed of peanut paste, milk, and a mix of vitamins and minerals. The "peanut butter on steroids" is then packaged and distributed globally to treat children diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. The Fitzgerald nonprofit is only one of two in the United States that makes RUTF packs. The other, Edesia Nutrition, is located in Rhode Island.

Mana said it reached a "remarkable milestone" in 2024 with feeding 7 million children across the world. "This number represents more than just lifesaving treatments; it signifies lives saved and futures reclaimed. Over 1 billion packets of RUTF have traveled from (Fitzgerald) to 45 countries around the world, saving lives with Georgia peanuts," Mana wrote on social media.

A USAID letter to Mana canceling the government's contracts stated they are “not aligned with agency priorities” and that “continuing this program is not in the national interest.”

On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., released a statement saying "Mana Nutrition’s Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food supports South Georgia peanut farmers, creates good-paying rural jobs, and saves lives around the world. This reckless action will hurt Georgia farmers and cost hard-working Georgians their livelihoods.

"I’m calling on the Trump Administration to reverse this thoughtless action and restore MANA’s contracts.” 

The Tifton Grapevine on Thursday reached out to the offices of U.S. Sen. John Ossoff, D-Ga., and U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, but neither responded with comments.

Moore said that Scott has been a consistent supporter of Mana's mission and "went to bat for us."

A couple of weeks ago, Mana representatives met with Scott, who said in his Feb. 10 constituent newsletter that "Mana is an incredible mission-driven organization that produces over 120,000 pounds of Ready to Use Food (RUTF), which is used to feed malnourished children worldwide. I can attest to their significant community impact in Georgia’s Eighth Congressional District and their commitment to ending child malnutrition."

Last May, then USAID Administrator Samantha Power visited Mana's newly expanded Fitzgerald facility and announced a $200 million commitment to the procurement and distribution of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food.

Mana is still waiting to be paid $20 million for RUTF packets that were already shipped, Moore said. The funds Mana receives goes back into producing and shipping the product, he said.

A U.S. district judge had given the State Department and USAID until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday to pay its bills to contractors for work that had been completed before Feb. 13. But U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts late Wednesday granted the Trump administration's request to put the order temporarily on hold.

"I wish we knew" what's going on, Moore said. "It keeps changing a lot."

USAID represents two-tenths of 1% of the U.S. budget, Moore said, which would be similar to a family with a $50,000 income giving $100 a year to their church.

"We’re the noncontroversial part of USAID," Moore noted.

He said some officials say privately that things will eventually work out. "We remain positive," Moore said. "We just need to hold on, day-to-day."

HEY TIFTON: IT'S TIME FOR SOME RHYTHM & RIBS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Tifton Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival returns this weekend from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday in Fulwood Park. The festival features cooking competitions involving teams of professionals, amateurs (backyard BBQ), and kids.

Nonstop entertainment, children’s games and activities, food and arts & crafts vendors, and a car show are part of the all-day festivities during Tifton's biggest event.

Headlining the entertainment is country music star Corey Smith, who has sold more than 1 million concert tickets, 1.5 million digital singles, and 220,000 albums. His Spotify channel has amassed more than 5.76 million listeners with more than 73 million streams and is currently averaging more than 1.13 million streams each month.

The Rhythm & Ribs Kickoff Party is 6-10 p.m. today (Friday) featuring Will Richardson & The 10-91s and the Kinchafoonee Cowboys.

On Saturday, celebrity Chef Pat Neely, the "BBQ King" featured on TV's Food Network, will be giving a demonstration at noon sharing one of his signature recipes.

The "Rides & Ribs" car show will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with awards at 1 p.m. The show will close Tift Avenue between 8th & 12th streets.

The BBQ awards ceremony begins at 4 p.m. Saturday on the main stage.

A wristband is needed to purchase alcohol. Tables/booths with wristbands will be near the main bars. IDs are mandatory. Golf carts, coolers, and fireworks are not permitted. Bring your lawn chairs, but they are not allowed on the lawn before 10 a.m. Saturday.

Tourism's Think Tifton tent will be selling festival T-shirts for $25. An ATM will be located on the south side of the park; some vendors may only take cash.

Railey Hughes from Lakeland, center, is crowned Ms. ABAC. From left are Vera Tyre, Mia McGurl, 2024 Mr. ABAC Hunt Stevenson, Hughes, 2024 Ms. ABAC Jenna Williams, Madison Jones, and Aleigha Stephens.

JUNIOR NAMED MS. ABAC DURING 55th PAGEANT

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Railey Hughes, a junior biology major from Lakeland, was crowned Ms. ABAC Wednesday night at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Hughes is a member of the Advancing Toward Occupations in Medicine (ATOM) Club and is an honors student. She spends her spare time volunteering to help children with special needs, at school events in the Lowndes County School System, as a state judge for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) events, and shadowing in the South Georgia Medical Center operating room.

Hughes was also the Interview Award winner during the event. She plans to pursue a career in medicine, specializing in anesthesia and returning home to work in her local hospital system. She is the daughter of Matt and Misty Hughes and graduated from Berrien County High School in Nashville.

Madison Jones, an agriculture major from Bonaire, was named first runner-up. The rest of the top five were second runner-up Mia McGurl from Jacksonville, Fla.; third runner-up Vera Tyre from Alma; and fourth runner-up Aleigha Stephens from Dublin.

Jones was also named Miss Congeniality. Anslee James from Sylvester was the essay winner, and Gracie Bananto from Warner Robins was the People’s Choice recipient.

The 55th annual pageant drew 19 contestants and was hosted by the ABAC Agripreneurs. Each year, the organization selects a charity to support with a portion of the funds raised. Samaritan’s Purse, a disaster relief organization, was chosen this year.

TIFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 'EMERGING YOUNG LEADERS'

VISIT STATE CAPITOL

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tifton-Tift County Chamber Commerce's eighth-grade Emerging Young Leaders class visited the state Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, observing both the House and Senate in session. In addition to touring the building, they met with local lawmakers and Gov. and Mrs. Brian P. Kemp.

Before heading back to Tifton, the students had a classic lunch at Atlanta's famed eatery The Varsity.

Cook County Probate Judge Chase Daughtrey, left, and Magistrate Court Judge Stephen Chammoun at the Georgia State Capitol last week.

COOK COUNTY JUDGES MEET WITH LAWMAKERS IN ATLANTA

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Cook County's Probate Judge Chase Daughtrey and Magistrate Court Judge Stephen Chammoun attended Judges' Day at the state Capitol last week and met with legislators as well as Attorney General Chris Carr.

Daughtrey said there are several items of interest to the courts this legislative session including a possible additional Superior Court judge in the Alapaha Circuit, mental health funding, and e-filing requirements.

Both of Cook County’s technology fee bills for probate and magistrate courts have passed both chambers and are currently on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature. Georgia House Bill 33 and House Bill 32 authorize the collection of technology fees for both courts, including a technology fee of up to $5 for each civil action filed with the Probate Court in Cook County.

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Today, Friday, Feb. 28, is National Pancake Day. Whether you call them Johnnycakes, griddle cakes, hotcakes, flapjacks, or simply pancakes, they have long been a food staple since at least Ancient Greece. Bisquick pancake and baking mix was introduced in 1931, making it easier to cook pancakes at home. The Top 5 types of pancakes in the United States? No. 1 is buttermilk, followed by blueberry, chocolate chip, original plain, and banana.

FRIDAY, FEB. 28

• OASIS Recovery Community Organization Street Party, celebrating six years with live music, food, video game truck, mechanical bull rides, bounce house, 4-8 p.m., 902 S. Main St., Tifton
• Fourth Friday, food, fun, late shopping, 4-8 p.m., Downtown Ocilla
• Final Friday, live music, food trucks, lawn games, late shopping, 5-7 p.m., Connie's Children's Park, Nashville
• The Kingdom of Wonders Circus, acrobatics, juggling, and comedy sponsored by the Fire Ant Festival, 5 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Turner County Elementary School, Ashburn
• Tifton Rhythm & Ribs Kickoff Party, live music by the Kinchafoonee Cowboys and Will Richardson & The 10-91s, 6-10 p.m., Fulwood Park, Tifton
• Just Desserts Cabaret, with the Handley Twins, desserts and beverages, 7:30 p.m., The Carnegie Center for the Arts, Fitzgerald

SATURDAY, MARCH 1

• Turner County Community Spring Yard Sale Day, sponsored by the Ashburn-Turner County Chamber of Commerce, 7 a.m., 238 E. College Ave., Ashburn
• Tifton Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., live entertainment, children's activities, food, beverages, vendors, Fulwood Park, Tifton
• Saturday Fun Run, barrel races, arena race, pole bending – sponsored by the Ga. International Barrel Racing Association, 11 a.m., ABAC Arena, Tifton
• Super Saturday, art project for ages four-10 years sponsored by the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Arts Council, 11 a.m.-Noon, 120 S. Lee St., Fitzgerald
• Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Arts Council Free Market, 1-3 p.m., 120 S. Lee St., Fitzgerald
• "Confluence," exhibition opening & artist reception, 5-7 p.m., Plough Gallery, Tifton
• The Kingdom of Wonders Circus, acrobatics, juggling, and comedy sponsored by the Fire Ant Festival, 5 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Turner County Elementary School, Ashburn

SUNDAY, MARCH 2

• The Kingdom of Wonders Circus, acrobatics, juggling, and comedy sponsored by the Sylvester-Worth County Chamber of Commerce, 5 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., 413 Main St., Sumner

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY: 

Letters must address local issues only. All letters are subject to editing for brevity, for libelous statements, and for egregious language. 

Include your name, phone number ,and address for verification purposes. Email letters to: IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com

CLOSURE OF TIFTON VETERANS MUSEUM

'SHAMEFUL' AND 'EMBARRASSING'

To the Editor:

The genesis of the closure of our beloved Veterans Museum happened when the Downtown Development Authority decided to sell only the wooden section of Tifton’s historic downtown train depot to the Train Museum that had leased the entire structure for many years from DDA. 

The Train Museum financed the Veterans Museum's opening and their continuance since 2019, and this would have continued had they been allowed to purchase the brick section; however, the DDA retained the two-story brick ostensibly for their "office space," and the veterans were told to relocate . 

This is shameful and embarrassing for the citizenry of Tifton to give our veterans no choice but to pack up and basically get out of town. The little town of Alapaha has a thriving Veterans Museum!

What a slap in the face to our beloved veterans who sacrificed their lives, limbs, health, and more so we in our coddled state remain safe, and we show our appreciation by closing a place that honors the memory and sacrifices of our heroic warriors.  

Ann Wolfe

Tifton

"Pookie," an adorable brown and white pup, is as sweet as his name. He’s ready to bring joy, tail wags, and endless love into your life. Come visit Pookie and see other pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, open between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).

FORMER TIFTON NAACP LEADER, FUNERAL DIRECTOR PAT MELTON

TO BE MEMORIALIZED TODAY

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

A member of one of Tifton's more prominent black families, who had been a Tifton NAACP president and Tifton's first female licensed funeral director and embalmer, will be honored with a "celebration of love" memorial service today (Friday).

Laverne Patricia “Pat” Melton, 74, died Feb. 11. Beginning at 11 a.m. today, she will be carried through the community on a horse and buggy, said her sister, Rue’Nette Melton. The procession will begin at the Melton Family estate, 1006 Doc Melton Sr. Drive, lining up at 11 a.m. The service will be at noon at the Beulah Hill Family Life Center, 321 Tifton Eldorado Road.

Pat Melton was a member of one of Tifton’s early entrepreneurial and social justice families, a daughter of the late Daughtry Benjamin "Doc" Melton Sr. and Ella Dora "Dee" Alexander Melton.

“There was no doubt when Mr. Melton founded his funeral home in 1950, that his family would dominate the funeral business throughout South Georgia for the next 60 years,” said Ambrose B. King Jr. in an online tribute.

“There’s nowhere in Georgia where the Melton name is not known or have been heard of amongst funeral directors, especially in African American communities,” King said.

After her father’s death in 1996, "Miss Pat" became the only female of the Melton clan that was a licensed embalmer and funeral director. She quickly became the acting matriarch of the Melton family, even while taking care of her elderly mother. 

Melton graduated from Wilson High School in 1968, received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Albany State College in 1972, and later received a mortuary science degree from Gupton-Jones College.

Her father established the first Tifton-Tift County chapter of the NAACP in 1967 and was its president for years. "Miss Pat" founded a local youth chapter in Tifton in 1968 and would later become Tifton NAACP president and helped establish chapters around South Georgia.