Provide occupants access to a fruit or vegetable garden

Rationale: An on-site fruit and vegetable garden that is well-maintained and accessible to occupants provides increased access to gardening opportunities, promoting increased physical activity and social interaction, contributing to reduced stress, increased job satisfaction, and improved eating habits. 

Requirements

Demonstrate compliance with one of the options below:

Option 1 - Fruit or Vegetable Garden (Full Credit):

To achieve full credit, demonstrate compliance with all of the following requirements:

1. Provide an outdoor fruit or vegetable garden that is free of charge to all building occupants.

2. Ensure that the garden is open and accessible during all daytime hours.

3. Locate the garden within a ¼-mile or 400-meter walking route of a main building entrance.

4. Establish a weekly maintenance plan for the garden during the local growing season.

5. Plant the garden with fruits, vegetables, or herbs.

6. Ensure the garden meets demand based on the number of occupants with access by including a minimum of 10 plants for every 500 occupants with access to the garden, with no more than 100 plants required.

7. Ensure gardens are located outdoors and are a minimum of 32 square feet or 3 square meters.

8. Publicize information about the garden with all building occupants through a minimum of one of the following methods:

• a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
• communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters.

Option 2 - Community Garden (Partial Credit):

The project may achieve partial credit by demonstrating compliance with all of the following requirements:

1. Identify a publicly accessible community garden that includes fruits, vegetables or herbs.

2. Ensure the publicly accessible community garden is located within a ¼-mile or 400-meter walking route of a main building entrance.

3. Ensure that the garden is a minimum of 2,500 square feet.

4. Publicize information about the garden with all building occupants through a minimum of one of the following methods:

• a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
• communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters.

Option 3 - Hydroponic Garden (Partial Credit):

The project may achieve partial credit by demonstrating compliance with all of the following requirements:

1. Provide a hydroponic garden that is free of charge to all building occupants.

2. Locate the hydroponic garden within the building(s).

3. Ensure that the garden is open and accessible during all daytime hours.

4. Establish a weekly maintenance plan for the garden.

5. Plant the garden with fruits, vegetables, or herbs.

6. Ensure the garden includes 10 plants for every 500 occupants with access to the garden, with no more than 100 plants required.

7. Publicize information about the garden with all building occupants through a minimum of one of the following methods:

• a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
• communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters.

Compliance Documentation

Types of compliance documentation required:

• Annotated maps
• Certified statements
• Calculation
• Annotated photographs