John Robbins was a bestselling author and the co-founder of Food Revolution Network. Once heir to the Baskin-Robbins empire, he chose a different path — advocating for healthy, sustainable, and ethical food choices. His books, including Diet for a New America, and decades of activism helped shape public policy and inspired millions to embrace a more conscious way of living. His legacy lives on.
John Robbins was the co-founder of Food Revolution Network and the author of Diet for a New America and other bestsellers. The only son of the founder of Baskin-Robbins, he turned away from a life of inherited wealth to pursue one of purpose — dedicating his life to advancing healthy, ethical, and sustainable food systems.
Through his books, public speaking, and tireless advocacy, John inspired millions and played a pivotal role in shaping a global movement for plant-powered living. His voice was instrumental in shifting public consciousness toward health, justice, and sustainability. Though he is no longer with us, his influence continues through the people he inspired, the policies he shaped, and the movement he helped ignite.
John Robbins was a bestselling author and visionary leader in food and health advocacy. His books, including Diet for a New America, The Food Revolution, and Reclaiming Our Health, sold millions of copies and were translated into more than 30 languages. Once destined to take over the Baskin-Robbins empire, John chose a radically different path — one devoted to health, ethics, and environmental stewardship.
For over four decades, John’s voice guided the modern food revolution. His insights were featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on Oprah, and he spoke at the United Nations, UNICEF, and global health summits. As a humanitarian and nonprofit leader, he championed causes from factory farming reform to food justice.
John’s legacy includes numerous awards, such as the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award and the Green America Lifetime Achievement Award. Yet perhaps his greatest impact was in the lives he touched — empowering people to make more conscious food choices for the sake of their health, their communities, and the planet.
Though he passed away in 2025, John’s work continues to ripple outward through the millions he inspired. He built not just a movement, but a model for how to live a life of integrity, courage, and service. His legacy lives on through his son, Ocean Robbins, and the continued work of the Food Revolution Network.
John Robbins was a bestselling author, influential speaker, and one of the most respected voices in food and health advocacy. His work transformed the way millions of people think about food, health, and sustainability — sparking a movement toward conscious living that continues to this day.
Born into the Baskin-Robbins ice cream empire, John was once the heir apparent to a fortune built on 31 flavors. But rather than follow the expected path of wealth and corporate leadership, he chose to forge his own “rocky road” — one guided by conscience, ethics, and a deep desire to create a better world. In a defining act of integrity, he walked away from the family business, turning his back on financial security to pursue a life of service, truth, and sustainability. It was a decision that surprised many, but it became the foundation for a lifetime of meaningful work that would touch countless lives.
John’s seminal book, Diet for a New America, published in 1987, served as a wake-up call to the world. It exposed the consequences of industrialized food production on human health, animal welfare, and the environment. His message was bold and deeply researched, challenging long-held assumptions and offering a new vision for living with compassion and vitality. The book became a runaway success — selling over a million copies and being translated into more than 30 languages. It established John as a central figure in the growing food justice and plant-based health movements.
Over the decades that followed, John continued to inspire and educate through a series of influential works, including The Food Revolution, Healthy at 100, and Reclaiming Our Health. His writings shaped public discourse around nutrition, ethical consumerism, and wellness long before they became mainstream topics. He was a featured guest on Oprah, profiled in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Time Magazine, and delivered keynote talks at the United Nations, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and UNICEF.
His life and journey were also captured in the documentary Love Over Money, which chronicles his extraordinary decision to reject inherited privilege in favor of a life dedicated to values, community, and justice.
John’s contributions extended far beyond the written word. As a humanitarian and nonprofit leader, he served on the boards of numerous organizations focused on health equity, animal rights, environmental protection, and ethical food systems. He was instrumental in raising awareness about factory farming, food insecurity, and chronic disease prevention. His advocacy helped empower communities to make healthier choices and influenced policies that promoted sustainability and compassion.
His efforts earned him many accolades, including the Rachel Carson Award, the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award, and the Green America Lifetime Achievement Award. But, John’s deepest rewards came not from honors but from the ripple effects of transformation he witnessed in individuals, families, and communities.
John’s personal story was also one of resilience. At the age of five, he contracted polio, a disease that left doctors uncertain he would ever walk again. Through sheer determination, movement, and healthy living, he not only regained his mobility but went on to become a triathlete, mountain climber, and marathon runner. In 2019, more than 65 years later, he began to experience symptoms of post-polio syndrome (PPS) — a condition that emerges in some polio survivors later in life. Despite the challenges it brought, John continued to share his wisdom, speak from the heart, and advocate for a healthier world with unwavering passion.
In 2012, John co-founded the Food Revolution Network with his son, Ocean Robbins. Together, they built a global movement dedicated to promoting whole-food, plant-based nutrition, sustainable living, and social justice. Under their leadership, the Food Revolution Network grew to reach hundreds of thousands of people around the world each year — through summits, courses, and campaigns that championed a better food future.
John passed away in 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Deo; his son, Ocean; and his grandchildren, River and Bodhi. His family, friends, and followers continue to carry his torch forward, honoring the values he lived by: compassion, courage, truth, and service.
Though John is no longer with us, his voice still echoes in the hearts and minds of those he inspired. His influence lives on in the way people choose their food, advocate for their communities, and strive for a kinder, healthier world.
John Robbins proved that the sweetest rewards aren’t found in wealth or inheritance — they’re found in choosing a path of integrity, and in building a world where all beings can thrive. His life was a testament to the power of one person to spark a revolution. And his legacy will continue to nourish the world for generations to come.
Name: Sierra Kohlruss
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Organization: Food Revolution Network
Website: www.foodrevolution.org
Email: [email protected]