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.
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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.
Diana says
My heart goes out to Elana’s family and friends. I appreciated her website for the great recipes while figuring out my own health issues. With love and gratitude.
Barbara Block says
I am so very sorry to learn of Elana’s struggles and her passing. I found these entries when pulling up her recipes for Hamantaschen (the one on this site and the one in her cookbook) – my favorites – on this holiday of Purim.
My heart goes out to her husband, sons, parents, and all those who knew and loved her. May memory sustain and comfort you.
As the child of Holocaust refugees, I am familiar with intergenerational trauma. I wish every one of you healing.
Phyllis says
I am very saddened by the tragic loss of Elana. Although I knew her only through her blog, I admired her intelligence, creativeness, tenacity, openness and generosity. She was an inspiration to me. I am so very sorry for her immense suffering. My deepest condolences to her husband, sons, extended family and community. May her memory be for a blessing.
May says
It is with deep sorrow that I read the news of Elana’s passing today. I am overwhelmed by sadness and gratitude for all she gave us. Her website is a staple for me. I trusted her and I trusted her work. I was shocked to learn about her pain challenges after mastectomy surgery and my heart went out to her.
Even in the depths of her own suffering still she shared with us what I can only describe as heroic goodness. Thank you Elana. For all you have done. May you be at peace.
amber says
I’m so so sorry to learn of this heartbreaking loss. I truly appreciated Elana’s dedication to learning, distilling, creating and sharing. Her recipes have brought us much nurturance over the years, with her almond flour chocolate chip cookie recipe forever ranking number 1. I’m just so sorry & saddened to hear that the struggle had gotten so heavy toward your end. Thank you so much for showing up and shining out while you were here. You will forever be remembered warmly in my kitchen.
Naomi M says
Like many others, I felt supported and inspired by Elana’s blog and books when creating alternative diets for my family. I’m sorry for her suffering. May her memory be a blessing.
Jennifer Robbins says
I am deeply saddened to learn of Elana’s passing. I found her website shortly after being diagnosed with celiac disease back in 2008. She taught me that gluten free baking could be healthy, enjoyable, easy and delicious. I have all her books and have made many of her recipes. Her chocolate chip cookies were a staple in my house when my son was growing up.
My heart goes out to her family. I wish you peace and comfort during this sad time. Thank you for sharing her recipes and wisdom with us over the years. She made the world a better place.
Helen says
I’m so sorry to hear this news. I was thinking of her last blog post today, and thought to check in and see how she was doing. I was not expecting this news. After so much suffering, may she rest in peace. may her family be comforted by the memories of her love, kindness, and generosity.
Jean says
I’m so, so sorry to hear of your loss. It’s heartbreaking. From reading Elana’s posts I learned of the pain after her mastectomy. I was certain there had to be a doctor that could help. I know pain, too. Everyday. Yesterday, I came across an article in AARP magazine about a surgeon in Houston who relieves nerve entrapment. Only a handful of doctors can do this. In the article, the woman was in a wheelchair and losing hope. Her husband found this doctor. The doctor’s hope after surgery was relief of her pain. He didn’t expect increased mobility. The woman now walks. Knowing how much Elana reached out to help others, this is too late for her (or maybe she did look into it), but perhaps it is an avenue for others in pain from surgeries and injuries. https://www.anthonyechomd.com/. My sincere condolences for your loss. Remembering the love is all we have when tragedy knocks on our door.
Veronica says
Only just found Elana’s work, and I’m so sorry she passed. She comes across as such a beautiful soul.
If her husband is looking for a safe, supportive space and this sounds like a good fit, the Non-Religious Widows/Widowers Club on FB is full of incredible people (of varying beliefs – agnostic, spiritual, atheist, etc). They caught me and held me when my husband died. No one can truly understand this experience until it is lived. I don’t know if anyone is monitoring comments, but if you are, please tell him that he’s not alone in this, and that strangers are sending him and his boys love.