John Robbins (1947–2025) transformed the way we think about food when he connected our dietary choices not only to our health,
but also to the well-being of the planet and all its creatures. His courage, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to truth helped to spark a movement that inspired and improved the lives of millions.
Through his numerous best-selling books, keynote presentations, interviews, and Food Revolution Summits, John’s groundbreaking advocacy and his powerful voice for compassion and respect for life didn’t just shift perceptions — it ignited positive action around the globe. His message reached policymakers, scientists, doctors, and millions of individuals — reshaping habits, policies, and perspectives on what it means to truly nourish ourselves and the world.
For more than four decades, John championed healthy, ethical, sustainable food for all. His books, including Diet for a New America, The Food Revolution, and Reclaiming Our Health, became foundational texts in the movement for conscious eating, empowering people to reclaim their health and rethink their choices.
With his son, Ocean, he founded the million-member Food Revolution Network and the non-profit Food Revolution Alliance.
In June of 2025, John Robbins died peacefully in his home from complications of post-polio syndrome — surrounded by his closest loved ones. Though John’s physical life has ended, his impact lives on in the love we share, the choices we make, and the movement he inspired.
John’s work was about food, and so much more, including justice, love, and the deep interconnection of all living beings. His legacy reminds us that every meal is an opportunity to nourish not just ourselves, but the world we wish to create. Every time we choose real, local, ethical, sustainable, healthy, fair trade, organic, and plant-based foods; every time we bring our lives and our actions into alignment with our values; every time we contribute to a world with less pain and more love; we’re helping to carry his legacy forward.
This heartfelt video honoring John’s life and work features, his son, Ocean, as well as thought leaders from the food, health, and environmental movements, who share their personal messages of love and appreciation for John’s legacy. Featured voices include:
Austin Willacy, Ayesha Sherzai, MD, Brenda Davis, RD, Brooke Goldner Tadlock, MD, Caryn Beth Hartglass, David Perlmutter, MD, Dean Ornish, MD, Dean Sherzai, MD, Dennis Kucinich, Kristi Funk, MD, Marianne Williamson, Michael Klaper, MD, Neal Barnard, MD, Ritamarie Loscalzo, DC, Sage Lavine, Senator Cory Booker, Shilpa Jain, Susan Benigas, Susan Peirce Thompson, PhD, and Tony Robbins.
— Senator Cory Booker
— Brooke Goldner Tadlock, MD
A Legacy of Love and Service
John Robbins was a best-selling author, influential speaker, and one of the most respected voices in food and health advocacy. His work has transformed the way millions of people think about food, health, and sustainability, inspiring generations to make choices that nourish both their own well-being and that of the planet.
John was also a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a friend to many loved ones who will grieve his passing, treasure his memory, uphold his legacy, and carry him always in their hearts.
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 path of wealth and corporate leadership laid before him, he chose to forge his own rocky road — one guided by conscience, ethics, and a deep desire to contribute to a healthier world. In a defining moment of his life, he walked away from the family business, turning his back on financial security to pursue a life dedicated to truth, health, and being of service to others. His decision shocked many, but it was a choice rooted in integrity — one that would shape his life’s work and inspire millions.
John’s seminal book, Diet for a New America, published in 1987, was a wake-up call that helped ignite the modern food revolution. The book exposed the devastating impact of industrialized food production on human health, animal welfare, and the environment. It challenged deeply ingrained dietary norms and encouraged a shift toward a more plant-forward, sustainable way of eating. The book became a classic, selling more than a million copies and being translated into more than 31 languages. It also earned John a Pulitzer nomination and widespread recognition as a leader in the movement for healthy and conscious living.
In the decades following, John continued to inspire and educate through his books, including The Food Revolution, Healthy at 100, and Reclaiming Our Health. His writings helped shape public discourse around nutrition, wellness, and ethical consumerism, often years ahead of mainstream understanding.
John’s work has been featured in numerous major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, and on Geraldo, Donahue, Today, and Oprah. He was invited to speak at global conferences hosted by organizations like the United Nations, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and UNICEF, where his insights on food and sustainability have influenced policymakers, scientists, and thought leaders alike. His remarkable journey is also the subject of the 2024 documentary Love Over Money, which chronicles his bold decision to leave Baskin-Robbins for a tiny cabin in the woods. Little did he know that in time, he would become a global leader in the food revolution movement.
John’s impact extends beyond his books, films, and public speaking. As a humanitarian and board member of numerous nonprofit organizations, John worked to combat food insecurity, improve health and well-being in underprivileged communities, and raise awareness about factory farming’s impact on human health, animal welfare, and the health of our planet. His advocacy earned him numerous honors and awards, cementing his reputation as one of the most influential voices in the fight for a better food future.
John also helped to ignite the modern “health food” movement, influencing generations of eaters, activists, and changemakers, from doctors and researchers to everyday individuals seeking to improve their health and make more ethical choices. His work has played a role in shaping public policy, scientific research, and cultural attitudes toward food and health.
John’s journey was not without its challenges. At the age of five, he contracted polio, a disease that left him unable to walk. Doctors were uncertain whether he would ever regain full mobility. Through perseverance, a commitment to healing, and an active lifestyle, he defied expectations — eventually not only walking but becoming a marathon runner, mountain climber, and triathlete. For decades, he embodied the vitality that he championed in his work, demonstrating the incredible potential of the human body when given the right nourishment and care.
More than six decades later, in 2019, John began experiencing symptoms of post-polio syndrome (PPS), a condition that can emerge in polio survivors later in life, affecting mobility, energy levels, and overall function. He bravely shared his experience in this video. While PPS typically manifests 15 to 40 years after the initial polio infection, John defied the odds, maintaining exceptional health for more than 65 years — far longer than medical experts would have predicted. His vibrant longevity led post-polio specialists to believe that his decades of healthy living, plant-based nutrition, and commitment to movement likely played a significant role in delaying the onset of PPS.
PPS never diminished John’s passion or dedication to the work he loved. Until his passing, he continued to share his knowledge and wisdom, proving that strength is not just about physical ability — it’s about resilience, service, and love. His journey stands as a testament to the profound influence our daily choices can have, not only in preventing disease but also in shaping the quality of our lives, even in the face of adversity.
Through his profound dedication to health, justice, and sustainability, John lived a life of meaning and purpose. And now, the torch he carried is in all of our hands.
Welcome to this visual journey through John’s life — from his childhood and his bold decision to walk away from the Baskin-Robbins empire, to his decades as a best-selling author and global advocate for food justice, all while being a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who cherished his family as deeply as his mission.
And if you want to understand more fully why and how John walked away from Baskin-Robbins, here’s a link to the documentary, Love Over Money, featuring John’s intimate retelling of how his message to the world ended up saving his own father’s life.
John in His Own Words
“To all who long for a world with less pain and more love, and to all who are doing what you can to make a difference—thank you. You have been an inspiration to me. And now, I hope I can offer something in return.
If you feel a spark of hope, a sense of possibility, I want to encourage you: Hold onto it. Nurture it. Let it take root in your life. Share it with others who may need it, just as I have sought to share my own hope with you.
And if you are struggling—whether with a challenge no diet or medicine can cure, or with the weight of the world’s pain—please know that I am with you. I offer you my heart, my understanding, and my love. You are not alone.
None of us know how much time we have left in these bodies. But what I do know is this: Every moment you have is precious. Every choice you make matters. Each act of kindness, each moment of integrity, each step you take toward aligning your life with your values—it all counts. It nourishes your own well-being, and it ripples out into the world in ways you may never fully see.
I have spent my life working for a world where food is a source of nourishment, not suffering. A world where we recognize that our health is inseparable from the health of the planet, and that all life matters. And now, I pass the torch to you.
I near the end of my time in this world with a heart full of gratitude—for the privilege of being part of this movement, for the joy of walking this path, and most of all, for each of you. The work continues now in your hands, in your choices, in your voice, and in your love.
I send you my deepest wishes for healing, for joy, and for peace—for you, for those you hold dear, and for our precious and hurting world.
And now, I leave you with the prayer that has guided my life, my work, and my hope for our shared future. It is short and simple, yet it carries all that I hold in my heart:
May all be fed.
May all be healed.
May all be loved.”
John Robbins, 1947–2025
Support John’s Legacy
Food Revolution Alliance – Expanding a Movement, Establishing a Legacy
To carry John’s legacy forward, the Robbins family co-founded a nonprofit organization, Food Revolution Alliance, to be a living embodiment of the values he championed: love, justice, and integrity. Food Revolution Alliance builds upon the foundation laid by Food Revolution Network, expanding John’s legacy into new spheres of policy, advocacy, and community empowerment — while Food Revolution Network continues the work of educating and inspiring millions each year.This new nonprofit exists to advance the systemic transformation he advanced for more than four decades: a world where healthy, ethical, and sustainable food is available to all, and where the choices we make about food nourish our bodies, uplift our communities, and help heal our planet.
We are profoundly grateful that Robyn O’Brien has stepped forward to serve as the founding Executive Director of Food Revolution Alliance. Robyn is one of the most trusted and visionary leaders in the food movement today. A best-selling author and Forbes Impact 50 honoree, she has worked at the highest levels of the food, agriculture, and finance sectors to create scalable, values-aligned impact. Her ability to build bridges across political, cultural, and economic divides is extraordinary, and she brings a rare combination of strategic brilliance, fierce compassion, and moral courage to everything she does. Like John, Robyn has dedicated her life and work to the health of people and the planet, and we are honored to have her guiding this next expression of the food revolution movement.
Food Revolution Alliance will create positive momentum and change in the food industry through masterminds, collaborative initiatives, and shared campaigns. The organization will uplift and connect the changemakers who are working across the country — and the globe — for a more just and sustainable food future. In time, the Alliance will expand into storytelling and media production, including filmmaking and digital content that amplifies voices of hope, innovation, and courage in the food movement — voices that too often go unheard but are leading the way to a more healthy, sustainable, and compassionate world.
Your contribution to Food Revolution Alliance helps bring John’s legacy and vision to life in real and lasting ways. It supports a future where all people have access to food that heals, not harms. A future where love, justice, and integrity are baked into the systems that shape what ends up on our plates. If you are moved to honor John’s memory, please consider giving generously. Together, we can ensure that his legacy not only lives on — but grows stronger with every passing year.
Words from John’s son, Ocean
“My dad’s life was defined by a deep and abiding love — for people, for animals, and for our planet. That love gave him the strength to walk away from an ice cream empire, to challenge the status quo, and to advocate for a world where health and compassion go hand in hand. His work awakened millions to the power of mindful eating and natural healing, and his legacy will continue to inspire change for generations to come.
My dad taught us that food is far more than sustenance — it’s a powerful tool for healing our bodies, our communities, and our world. While his passing leaves an ache in my heart, I am profoundly grateful for all he shared with me, our family, and the countless lives he touched. His legacy lives on in every thoughtful meal, every courageous challenge to the norm, and every step we take toward a more compassionate and vibrant future. I will honor him by continuing his work, and I invite you to join me on this enduring journey.”
Ocean Robbins
Continuing John’s Vision
John dedicated much of his life to awakening people to the connections between our food choices and our health, happiness, and the future of life on Earth. That work doesn’t end — it continues through Food Revolution Network and the millions of lives he has touched.
We remain committed to the mission John championed: empowering people with knowledge and inspiring a food system that is healthy, ethical, and sustainable.
