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.
Allison Oelger says
I am so very sorry for your loss. Elana was the first person I found when I was trying to navigate going gluten-free. She gave me great hope that I could make delicious things for my family and honor my health at the same time. She will be missed.
Jeanne Clarke-Walker says
I am so sorry to hear of her passing. What a great loss to her family and friends but to the gluten intolerant/coeliac folks around the world. She was an inspiration and warrior for many people.
Sincere condolences to all who knew and loved her
Jill says
I am devastated. I have been following Elana since the early days, and she was a tremendous source of inspiration. May her memory forever be a blessing.
Kathy Bardin says
I am so very sorry❤️
Stacey says
I am so very sad to hear this. I started following Elana 10 or more years ago. She provided so much great information. So grateful to her. Deepest condolences to her family and friends. She will be missed I’m sure of it.
Dodi says
Baruch Dayan Haemmes. So sorry for your loss and ours.
Chris Allsup says
So very broken hearted and only hearing about this today. I don’t have any other words except, Fly free Sister. No more pain.
Lori Garvey says
I am so saddened by this news. My heart breaks for her husband & sons.
Christina Obie says
So sad to hear this. I loved her recipes and writing. Been following for years. Sending my love to her family and friends.
Lily S says
Dearest family of Elana,
We are very sorry for your loss. Elana’s recipes are staples in our household. My favorite is the orange almond cake, which gets compliments from anyone I share it with. Whenever I make it, or even think of it, I am filled with gratitude that this little powerhouse of goodness, body and soul, was a blessing that Elana share with human kind. Her books, her allowing us to glimpse into her world as she navigated her journey to healthier living, and the way she put it all together so beautifully and fluidly, will continue to inspire me to be a better person.
God’s Grace be with you and yours in this difficult time. Our hearts break. Slowly, they heal, even bigger than they were before, if we let them, never forgetting or regretting the time we had with each loved one who has passed, and always with their own special place in our hearts.