Aggression while eating

Question
I have an adopted year old German Shepard (Pure Bred) who just started growling when my wife touched him while he was eating.  We have had him going on three weeks now and he just developed this action.  He is NOT a dominant dog and does not growl under any other circumstances.  He was an abused dog as well, but he looks to me as  the alpha (I think)

Answer
Hi Frank, Congratulations for rescuing and adopting. It's a wonderful thing to do. Your dog will eventually give you back a  hundred fold what you put into hi.
Type alpha dog boot camp into your browser search engine. This website will explain to you the many ways that you can and MUST assert yourself and your wife as alpha in your home. Establishing pack order is a MUST with the two of you at the top. Enroll your pup in basic obedience classes and take turns both with training and working your dog.
Meanwhile, walk your dog, twice per day every day until he's tired, Make sure he gets enough exercise three times per week so that he is TIRED , tongue hanging collapsed on the floor tired.\
I think you'll see your problems resolved very quickly
Good luck
Cindi