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.
NancyJ says
I am so very sorry for your loss. She will be greatly missed.
May her memory be a blessing
Becki Guillory says
I am so shocked and sad to hear this! My stepdaughter introduced me to Elana’s blog and I have several of her cookbooks. Besides helping me with dietary issues, her selfless posts about her health and what helped her was so encouraging and useful to me. She sure had a heart for helping others, and I am so thankful for that. I will miss her, she was a beautiful, talented, caring, creative soul. May peace and comfort be with her family and loved ones.
Charlotte Moore says
I am so very sorry. GOD BLESS you all!
Larissa Blechman says
I am so very sorry to hear this. Like so many others I’ve been following Elena for many years and have learned so much from her about health and about living well with illness and about taking care of myself better. Hamentaschen for Purim! In just a few few weeks, I’ll make them again and will gladly acknowledge her and share all of the love that she had for us and that we had for her. May her memory be a blessing and may all who loved her find comfort in their memories of her.
Lauren says
I am so saddened to hear of Eliana’s passing. May her name be a blessing
Her recipes are loved by my family and so many others.
Thank you for sharing so much with all of us!
Sandy says
My deepest condolences are with her family and friends.
Abi says
My deepest condolences to Elana’s family and close friends. We will miss her and her presence in this beautiful community she built. Proverbs 22:1 says “A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth; To be respected is better than silver and gold.”
Elena built an incredible name and reputation and she was greatly respected for all that she did. Wishing you peace and comfort in the as you navigate these difficult times.
Bettina says
To the family of Elana, I am so sorry for your loss. How devastating. my sincerest condolences.
Susan Felicissimo says
I am so sorry to read all of this. I loved her recipes and she will be missed. Sending her family lots of healing prayers. I pray that she is now in peace.
Karen Shapiro says
I’m sorry for her family. She was so selfless in helping others in just made the gluten free chocolate chip cookies yesterday. People love them ! I use maple sugar granulated instead of syrup to make a sandy texture. You can add orange zest or nuts. Love to the family and peace