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.
Free exclusive eBook, plus recipes and health tips, delivered to your inbox.
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.
chris says
So sad.
What a life supporting legacy she leaves. Her spirit of love and generosity goes on.
With gratitude,
Chris
Valerie Mates says
I always appreciated Elana’s willingness to tackle tough problems with creative solutions, and not necessarily stay with the mainstream option, and I appreciated her willingness to share honest details about her life. I will miss her.
Elana’s family and friends, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Victoria says
I am deeply saddened by Elana’a passing. I enjoyed her blogs for years. I feel like I lost a friend.
My condolences to her family.
Marie says
I just learned about her passing this morning. I knew she was a survivor of breast cancer when she was diagnosed then had her surgery, but I was devastated when I searched her website this morning. A friend of mine was looking for a recipe for Hamantaschen. I went to her website and found the post of her passing. I was shocked! To her family, please accept my heartfelt sympathy and empathy. She was always looking for new ways to make more recipes for her family and followers. She will be greatly missed. I have relied upon her gluten-free recipes for years. Her responses to people’s posts were always encouraging and supportive. Tanchumin (Hebrew for comfort, condolences) to all her family and friends!
Kat Stewart says
I’m deeply saddened to hear the news of Elana’s passing. She was a bright light in this world. I’ve followed her for years and love the recipes and her strength, courage and wisdom she bestowed upon us. My sincerest condolences to her family.
Melissa says
what a loss. I am so saddened to hear this news. I struggled with a gluten sensitivity for many years before finally understanding it was more than that. Elana’s blog was one of the very first resources I found more than ten years ago that helped me navigate a tricky health journey, and I still return here almost weekly for help. I’ve been making her banana bread constantly over the years. like most weeks, today I made her banana bread, but it meant so much more. I wish I could tell her thank you. I am so grateful for how she helped me and now for how I can help my family.
Dolores says
I am devastated! For me she was a beacon, many of her recipes are staples in my home…. Oh my…. I am already missing her!!!
Matt McCullough, Lafayette, CO says
Very sad to hear this news. Elena had a long lasting impact on my family’s nutritional journey beginning in 2010. My oldest daughter, then 17 had suffered from continual stomach distress for years, which we later learned was triggered by interconnected auto immune issues. By chance, I discovered Elana’s Pantry and began making some of her GF recipes. These became family favorites and over time with the help of a functional medicine practioner and a GF, DF and soy free diet my daughter has been living a healthy pain free existence ever since. I will always be thankful for Elana’s work. Unknowingly, the knowledge on wellness she shared helped my daughter on the road to healthier outcomes, and for that we are forever grateful. With love and gratitude, rest in piece Elana. And, to her loved ones, may you always be warmed by her legacy and the memories she left in you.
elise maiberger says
I’ve been a fan/follower for some time and seeing news truly saddens me. I could not remember her name and spent 3,4,5 hours googling over and over because her recipes were the best decades before paleo and keto were mainstream many of wt this way because of health problems.
Just when I found her again, she’s gone ….
Love and Respect to her Family
merry says
so saddened to learn this news. Elana’s recipes have helped me navigate difficult diets needed for my child for over a decade.