A grapefruit grown in Slidell has earned the title for the World's Largest and Heaviest Grapefruit weighing in at seven pounds 14.64 ounces.
The fruit, grown by Mary Beth and Doug Meyer of Slidell, beat the old record which was set in 2006 by a seven pound one ounce grapefruit grown in Brazil.
A certificate of recognition on behalf of the Guinness Book of World Records was presented to the Meyers by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry on Tuesday, August 27.
According to a release, members of the LDAF Weights and Measures Division were on hand to officially weigh and measure the circumference of the fruit which measured 28.75 inches.
“My grandchildren created a fairy garden at the base of the tree. One day, my grandson noticed the oversized grapefruit growing. At that point, we really started paying attention and monitoring its development,” said Doug Meyer. “This experience will always be a special memory for us and our grandchildren.”
Commissioner Mike Strain congratulated the Meyers on their achievement and praised them for their efforts to teach their grandkids how to garden.
“It’s not every day you get to present someone with a world record title,” said Strain. “LDAF employees were able to provide the official equipment to document this wonderful Louisiana grown grapefruit."
Licensed surveyors and horticulturists were also on hand to inspect the physical condition of the grapefruit. The LDAF provided an official notice of inspection document to the Guinness Book of World Records.
