Montclair is one of eight communities recognized as a Healthy Town in the 2020 Mayors Wellness Campaign — its third year receiving the designation.

“The township’s health and human services department not only responded to the needs that emerged from the pandemic, but also continued health and wellness programming and education throughout the year,” the township wrote in an announcement of the honor.

Its programs included increased access to remote programming for older adults, and food distribution for residents over 60 so that they were able to stay safely in their homes.
Montclair’s Community Farms Coalition, which helped to keep residents active and address food insecurity.

“Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is always important, but now especially it’s critical that our community members have access to healthful foods, nutrition information, and a variety of options for sports and other exercise activities,”  Mayor Sean Spiller said in the announcement “There have been challenges along the way, but the Township, with the help of our community partners, has been able to offer a variety of activities for people of all ages, both in the physical and virtual spheres. The well-being of our residents is of critical importance and we are proud to have met the challenges to be once again honored with the Quality Institute’s recognition of Montclair as a Mayors Wellness Campaign Healthy Town.”

The Mayors Wellness campaign is a program of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.