In a recent interview with WALB’s Jim Wallace, Mark Moore, the CEO of Mana Nutrition, shed light on the pressing issue of hunger and the company’s efforts to provide food for those in need. Moore emphasized the global nature of hunger and malnutrition, which affects individuals both at home and in countries worldwide.

According to Moore, hunger often goes unnoticed because it is perceived as a normal part of life. However, when individuals are unable to access food, hunger becomes an enemy and can have deadly consequences. Mana Nutrition focuses on producing food packets designed specifically for severely malnourished children, targeting the most urgent cases. These children, Moore explains, have reached a state where they are no longer hungry due to the nutritional deficiencies they face.

In Fitzgerald, Georgia, Mana Nutrition manufactures peanut butter packets that serve as a six-week treatment, more akin to medicine than regular food. Children consume these packets for approximately three weeks, and improvements in their health and appearance become noticeable. The six-week treatment helps them regain normal weight and addresses the most critical aspect of hunger.

Despite the belief that world hunger has faded from headlines, Moore highlights the current emergency in Sierra Leone. Mana Nutrition was approached by a group from Sierra Leone informing them that the United Nations’ budget was falling short of meeting the country’s needs. In response, Mana Nutrition reached out to organizations such as the American Peanut Council, peanut shellers, and others in Georgia for assistance. They seek individuals who can help in the initial stages of the production process, such as pouring peanuts into hoppers, roasting, grinding, and packaging them into the life-saving packets. Sierra Leone alone requires aid for tens of thousands of children under six who are in dire need of nutrition.

Jim Wallace inquired whether South Georgia peanut farmers typically respond to such calls for help. Moore expressed his admiration for Georgia peanut farmers, noting their immediate empathy due to their own experiences with tough times. Many peanut farmers come from humble backgrounds and work tirelessly to make ends meet. Having faced hardships themselves, they readily understand the importance of lending a helping hand. Moore commends the generosity of Georgia peanut farmers, stating that their response is consistently fantastic and that few can match their level of generosity.

The conversation with Mark Moore sheds light on the critical issue of hunger, both globally and in Sierra Leone, and highlights the vital role played by Mana Nutrition and the support they receive from empathetic Georgia peanut farmers. The collaboration between organizations and individuals serves as a beacon of hope in the ongoing fight against malnutrition and hunger.