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.
Jason says
You are free now, Elana. I neither condone nor condemn your choices, and instead I hope the next stage of your existence is free of pain. You were a generous soul and you will be missed.
Sarah says
I’m so so sad to hear this news. she helped me feel like I could make it through my Celiac diagnosis while continuing to bake and cook and live healthy.
This will take a while to process. my heart is braking for her family and those of us who valued what she did for our Celiac community.
Rachelle Friedman says
Eliana’s recipes were the first ones my mother dabbled with when I first changed my diet to SCD to heal my ulcerative colitis. I still make her matzoh balls every year at Pesach and her peanut butter cookies are a family favorite as well as the lemon poppyseed muffins. I will carry her, and her generosity of spirit forward always.
May her memory be a blessing.
Jo Hansen says
So very sorry to read of Elana’s passing . She was the first person I followed when I started my gluten free journey back to better health. I appreciated her recipes and wise counsel. My condolences to her family. Will always be remembered.
Cheri says
Elana taught me how to bake gluten free. I’m shocked and saddened. My deepest condolences to her family. Know that she brought joy to so many people. May her memory be a blessing.
Mary says
For her dear sons and husband for whom she shared her focused care, joyful healthy home-based recipes and philosophy, I offer that her glowing Star will shine for you three. We grew up with your family, and appreciated sharing your mother, wife; daughter (her father such an inspiration). I am sad, we have so much to remind of her public faith in pursuit of universal self-care and wise choices. Boulder’s beacon, our pantries will be full of her generous gifts. She was a beautiful soul.
David R Cohen says
Thank you for your recipes and posts over the years.
May the G-d of our ancestors, the G-d of Israel receive you in heaven with open arms Elana Bat Ezra.
May your soul rest in Gan Eden eternally.
Counting-Sheep says
Elana’s honesty, books and recipes have been a gift to me, and to those with whom I share her creations. She has been a fantastic resource to those of us who knew that autoimmune issues could be improved with the right foods, and she made our lives more bearable through her writings and cooking. I’m sorry for the suffering she endured and wish comfort and best wishes in the days and years to come for her family. May she rest in peace and may her memory be eternal.
Jenny says
This is heartbreaking news. Elana, your recipes were so important to me in my early days of having to give up gluten and dairy. Since then, they have been a staple in my kitchen from ordinary breakfasts and dinners to special birthday desserts and everything in between. Your grace and kindness shone through in your writing. Your memory will live on. I’m sorry you struggled so much. To Elana’s family: I am so sorry for your loss.
Jess says
I’m so sorry to read this. She was a courageous person who made a positive impact on the lives of so many. Praying for peace for her family as they say goodbye for now. May she rest in peace.