This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

Food production

Gardening or the cultivation of produce and herbs increases access to healthy, fresh and nutrient-rich foods and allows individuals to be more engaged with food production processes. Studies show that gardening can lead to better eating habits and more positive perceptions of overall health, and has been associated with lower BMI as well as lower odds of overweight and obesity.

This feature provides occupants with the space, infrastructure and tools necessary to grow and harvest vegetables and other edible plants.

Part 1: Gardening Space

A space of at least 0.1 m² [1 ft²] per occupant (no more than 70 m² [754 ft²] maximum is required) is allocated within 0.8 km [0.5 mi] of the project boundary for one or a combination of the following:

a.22 A garden.
b.22 A greenhouse.
Part 2: Planting Support

Adequate quantities of the following supplies are provided to grow and maintain vegetables, herbs or other edible plants in the Gardening Space provided:

a.22 Planting medium.
b.22 Irrigation.
c.22 Lighting (interior spaces only).
d.22 Plants.
e. Gardening tools.
Digestive
Muscular
Skeletal
Immune
Cardiovascular

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell New & Existing Buildings New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Gardening Space O O O
Part 2: Planting Support O O O
Commercial Kitchen Education Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Gardening Space - O O O -
Part 2: Planting Support - O O O -

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
Part 1: Gardening Space Architect Spot Check
Part 2: Planting Support Architect Spot Check
22

U.S. Green Building Council. Pilot Credit 82: Local Food Production. http://www.usgbc.org/node/2743606?return=/pilotcredits. Published 2009. Accessed October 17, 2014.

51.1.a

LEED v4: Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction sets a Pilot Credit (local food production) for onsite food production, which requires provisions for onsite food production.

51.1.b

LEED v4: Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction sets a Pilot Credit (local food production) for onsite food production, which requires the provision of a greenhouse.

51.2.a

LEED v4: Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction sets a Pilot Credit (local food production) for onsite food production, which requires the provision for onsite food production.

51.2.b

LEED v4: Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction sets a Pilot Credit (local food production) for onsite food production, which requires the provision of a watering system.

51.2.c

LEED v4: Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction sets a Pilot Credit (local food production) for onsite food production, which requires the provision of access to sunlight.

51.2.d

LEED v4: Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction sets a Pilot Credit (local food production) for onsite food production, which requires the provision of vegetable gardens and/or edible nut and fruit-bearing plants.