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

Responsible food production

Organic and sustainable farming practices are designed to reduce environmental pollution and increase the quality of life of livestock that we rely upon for food. Organic farming makes up a rapidly growing share of food cultivation processes in the U.S. due to increasing demand from conscientious consumers. While research on health effects of consuming organic versus conventionally-grown foods is still inconclusive, studies have found higher levels of antioxidants and lower levels of pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in organic as compared to conventionally-grown foods.

Part 1: Sustainable Agriculture

Produce is sold or distributed on the premises on a daily basis by (or under contract with) the project owner and it meets the following criteria:

a.63 Federally Certified Organic labeling (based on the country).
Part 2: Humane Agriculture

If meat, egg or dairy products are sold or distributed on the premises on a daily basis by (or under contract with) the project owner, they meet the following criteria for the humane treatment of livestock:

a.64 Humane Certified™ labeling, or equivalent (based on the country).
b.63 Federally Certified Organic labeling (based on the country).
Immune
Cardiovascular

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell New & Existing Buildings New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Sustainable Agriculture - O O
Part 2: Humane Agriculture - O O
Commercial Kitchen Education Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Sustainable Agriculture - O - P -
Part 2: Humane Agriculture - O - P -

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
Part 1: Sustainable Agriculture Operations Schedule
Part 2: Humane Agriculture Operations Schedule
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U.S. Department of Agriculture. Organic Regulations. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=organic-agriculture. Published 2014. Accessed September 10, 2014.

49.1.a

The USDA's Organic Requlations require that organic products do not contain genetically modified ingredients and avoid synthetic materials such as antibiotics and pesticides.

49.2.b

The USDA's Organic Requlations require that organic products do not contain genetically modified ingredients and avoid synthetic materials such as antibiotics and pesticides.

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Certified Humane. Humane Farm Animal Care Comprehensive Animal Welfare Standards Comparison By Program. http://certifiedhumane.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Comp.Standards.Com.... Published 2013. Accessed September 15, 2014.

49.2.a

Humane Farm Animal Care’s Humane Farm and Animal Care Comprehensive Animal Welfare Standards Comparison by Program requires that animals are uncaged throughout their lives and not exposed to antibiotics and hormones.