Angel Food Ministries officials head to court

Angel Food Ministries returns to Walton County Superior Court today in a struggle for control of the nonprofit that annually sells $140 million worth of food at low cost.

Board members Craig Atnip and David Prather alleged in a February lawsuit that founder Joe Wingo and his family enriched themselves and mismanaged Angel Food. The suit asks a judge to remove the Wingos to protect the nonprofit, which is located near Monroe.

Wingo started the low-cost food sales program to help the poor. It now sells through a network of churches, including more than 200 in metro Atlanta.

The nonprofit’s spokesman has denied wrongdoing by the Wingos and characterized the suit as a money and power grab.

On March 6, Superior Court Judge John M. Ott asked the sides to try to settle questions about management and money out of court, but their talks failed. A judge could decide today whether the sides should proceed with the suit.