John Robbins, a leading voice in the plant-based movement and author of the groundbreaking book Diet for a New America, has died at age 77. His death was confirmed by the Food Revolution Network and PETA.
Robbins is best known for his 1987 bestseller Diet for a New America, which exposed the ethical, health, and environmental consequences of meat-heavy diets. The book marked a turning point in the plant-based movement and became a foundational text for advocates and health professionals alike. Robbins, the only son of Baskin-Robbins co-founder Irv Robbins, famously distanced himself from the family’s ice cream empire to pursue a life rooted in ethical and sustainable living.
Raised in Southern California, Robbins studied at UC Berkeley and Antioch College. In his early adulthood, he focused on holistic wellness, writing, and meditation. His book, based on epidemiological data and personal insights, became a national sensation. Robbins appeared on programs like Oprah, Donahue, and CBS This Morning, and his message resonated with a wide audience. The book sold over a million copies. 
In 1988, Robbins founded EarthSave International, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting plant-based eating and environmental sustainability. Its programs reached schools, communities, and youth activists across the country.
Robbins expanded his work with a PBS documentary, Diet for a New America: Your Health, Your Planet, and authored several more influential books, including The Food Revolution, Healthy at 100, and Voices of the Food Revolution. These works tackled topics such as factory farming, GMOs, food ethics, and the secrets of long-living cultures.
In 2012, he co-founded the Food Revolution Network with his son, Ocean Robbins. The organization attracted over a million members worldwide and continued the mission of promoting conscious eating and sustainable food systems.
Robbins battled health challenges throughout his life, including post-polio syndrome, but remained active in advocacy until shortly before his death. He received numerous honors for his humanitarian work, including the Rachel Carson Award and the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award.
John Robbins leaves behind a legacy of compassion, integrity, and transformative change—one that inspired millions to rethink what’s on their plate.
