We are very sad to share the news that Elana passed away on February 8, 2025. It is a traumatic and tragic loss for her family, friends, and the entire Elana’s Pantry community.
Elana was a creative beacon who was constantly looking for ways to help people and make the world a better place. She founded two companies that were the definition of doing well by doing good.
Ecosav started in 1993, was a leader in bringing recycling programs to New York City commercial establishments and helping them reduce their waste bills in the process. She was named one of the city’s 40 under 40 for her work.
Elana’s Pantry, founded in 2006, brought simple, healthy, gluten free, and grain free recipes and extensive health and wellness advice to millions of people. She was also the author of three cookbooks, including a New York Times bestseller, and an investor in numerous cutting-edge companies bringing healthy products to people, like Primal Kitchen, LMNT, Kettle & Fire, Wellnesse, Magic Spoon, SteadyMD, Serenity Kids, and Beekeeper’s Naturals.
Elana was committed to giving back with charities such as Pesticide Action Network, Not Putting on a Shirt, Tulane Medical School, Boulder Community Hospital, Baby2Baby, Castleman’s Disease Collaborative Network, and The Anti-Recidivism Fund, and was a co-founder of the Katz Amsterdam Foundation.
Elana was also a fierce advocate for women’s health and eliminating biases through systemic change in the medical system.
Elana had a number of challenges in her life but always found a way to connect and help people, never wavering from her goal to “save the world”, a goal she told her parents about when she was 22.
She will be deeply missed.
Elana is survived by her husband and two sons as well as her parents and sister. We ask for privacy for her family during this very tough time.
Lisa Haynes says
I am devastated by the news of Elana’s passing! She was the shining hope and my kitchen angel during the time that I was challenged by a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2013. My Naturopath’s Nutritionist recommended her website for recipes and information on eating a Paleo diet. Her recipes were excellent! I loved this website/blog! I was very fortunate that my inflammation was drastically reduced within a few months. The RH factor no longer showed up in my blood work! My doctors were amazed! I felt much better and was able to return to work.
I will be forever grateful to Elana for her hard work, time, determination, and her efforts in sharing her knowledge.
Thinking of her family, staff, and friends at this tragic time of loss. She did change the world for so many of us who needed help and guidance. May she be your guardian angel now and continue to give help to those who need it.
Sincerely,
Lisa H.
Amy Merideth says
Sending condolences to her family. I can’t imagine the loss.
And remembering Elana with a lifetime’s worth of love.
Karen says
I was coming on the site to look for one of her wonderful recipes and saw this blog post. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve followed her shortly after my leukemia diagnosis for healthier and GF recipes. Her recipes helped me get through a hard time, and I still enjoy making them.
I send my thought and prayers to the family and close friends. Losing someone close to you is so hard and changes life. I hope all your wonderful memories of Elana will help you through the hard days. As I make her recipes, I will think of her and all of you.
Dulce says
I am so sorry to hear this. Even if I don’t know Elena personally, I have been following her for years and she has been an inspiration in my wellness journey. I discovered I had coeliac disease and I came across her GF and paleo recipes – I have her books and continue cooking her most delicious recipes. She is a warrior and a true inspiration. A huge loss. My heartfelt condolences so her dear ones.
Petra says
Dear Elana, you’re reading this, or rather sensing, from different dimension.
You have helped me on my grain free journey to better health, I loved reading your blog and followed your advice.
Love x
Emily says
Baruch Dayan Haemet
I was so sorry to hear. Been following and using Elana’s recipes for my large family and sharing with my friends for so long. So much of her stuff is a staple in our house. I didn’t know her personally, but she’s clearly touched so many lives. Sending strength and love to her family. It was clear from her posts how much she loved you all.
A true inspiration, really made me sad today. I will light a candle in her honour and she will continue to be at our holiday meals through her incredible recipes that she put so much work and love into.
Michele says
My deepest sympathies with you. She was a force for good in the world and so brave. She will absolutely be missed.
Chana says
I’ve been following Elana’s blog for so long… since I was in my early 20s. She was a pioneer in the almond flour/gluten free sphere. I would make one of her recipes almost every day.. testing.. testing… it is extremely rare for me to write a comment but deeply saddened by the loss of Elana! What a beautiful, talented and creative soul. May she watch over your family from above and may you continue to see her in the little things in life. She was truly a blessing in the world.
NICOLAU says
Je suis trés triste triste d’apprendre le décé d’ une aussi gentille personne .Repose en paix héléna
Condoléances à toute sa famille
Sharon Slocum says
Dearest Elana,
I will miss you. You have been my go-to source for so many changes in my diet, as I try to get well. Through all your suffering you were helping others who were also suffering. May you be blessed through all the service you have offered to others.