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.
Michelle says
My heart is heartbroken… she was such an inspiration and an amazing blessing to so many people. My prayers and condolences to her family and friends. She will be truly missed!
Varda says
Elana has been a part of my journey to finding healthy options first for me when I was diagnosed as celiac and later as a mother. I know I will miss seeing her posts. I am so sad to hear of her loss and am sending strength and prayers to her family and loved ones.
Michelle Ginsburg says
I am so sorry to hear this. May her memory be a blessing to your family and friends.
Elana was a blessing to me when I went gluten free 16 years ago. There was a lot of support at the time. Her recipes kept me going. Plus she had specific Jewish recipes I was looking for. My heart is with you and her community.
Diane Rubenstein says
I first found Elena at the beginning of my Paleo journey 11 years ago. As a Jewish woman, I appreciated all the things she helped me to make, like matzo ball soup and paleo bagels. I loved being on her email feed and felt a kinship with her. May her memory be for a blessing.
SG says
I am so very sorry to hear this news. I had found her when I first started my wellness journey back in the early 2000s. She was one of the first kind of “paleo” people that I found on the internet. I made so many of her recipes and followed her journey through the years. She was an inspiration to me and I am sure so many others. Peace to your family.
Lorraine Miller says
This is tragic news. My heart goes out to her family and friends as they mourn her loss.
Mark says
This is very sad news. My thoughts and prayers to the family.
Deb says
I am so very sorry for Elana’s recent struggles, her passing and your family’s tragic loss. She was a lovely woman that shared wonderful, healthful and delicious recipes and advice that I found useful many times. May she rest in peace and no longer be in pain.
Danielle Corrick says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Elana was such a beacon for me especially in the early days of my diagnosis, she really helped me find my way in what I could eat and how to nourish my body.
Sharon Ruchman says
My daughter recommended Elanas recipes to me many years ago and I love them. They are such wonderful, creative, delicious and healthy alternatives to most recipes. Elana, from everything I read, was a giver, involved in many worthwhile organizations, and a woman of great strength and courage when facing her very challenging health struggles. Although I never met her, I feel a great loss. I am deeply saddened by the news and pray that her family finds a way to heal from this tragedy.
Ro says
This is heart-breaking, devastating news. Elana was amazing and kind. To Elana’s family, I’m so very sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.