An ancient Roman venue became a public classroom about food when FAO held an international exhibition at Circo Massimo in October. The event connected farming technologies with the people, cultures and natural resources behind everyday meals. More than three hundred exhibitors from over 140 countries participated, presenting four hundred products, technologies and innovations. Visitors could explore how food moves through production, processing, transport and markets. The central message was that innovation should offer practical, affordable solutions rather than remain distant from the people it is intended to serve.
The main pavilion linked crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry, land and water, while six regional pavilions highlighted different food traditions. Cooking demonstrations, discussions and workshops added opportunities for families to learn through direct experience. The exhibition ran from 8 to 12 October and admission was free. Bringing these activities into a shared public space helped make the connections within food systems more visible. It also showed that agricultural knowledge can be communicated through culture and participation, alongside technical presentations.