Background Interest in local food has been growing, driven by increased attention from consumers, supporting policies, and interest in offering supply by local producers. Nonetheless, a definition of “local food” remains elusive, varying with purposes, geographies, and perceptions. This study quantifies online media mentioning local food in 2018–2021 using online and social media listening and analytics. In addition, a sub-search devoted to local food security and access was conducted due to a high proportion of mentions devoted to food security in the initial search. Variations in mentions and net sentiment quantified for individual US states are also presented. Results The local food pantry sub-search arose after finding a large share of the general local food media was referencing local food access rather than production or other topics. The interest in local food access was more apparent during crises periods, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, during which even a larger portion of mentions are devoted to the local food pantry sub-search topic. Mentions quantified from the sub-search are mostly expressing concerns about worsened food insecurity during the pandemic and encouraging others to do things like donate food to local pantries. Conclusions Online and social media can play an important role towards active communication in local communities on topics, such as food availability and access. In addition, online media can facilitate more efficient emergency management.

Environmental issues are becoming hot topics nowadays. As the steps of industrialization and urbanization expand, the conflict between economic development and environmental protection appears to intensify and catch people’s eyes more frequently, from the disappearing Amazon rainforest to the pollution of Mississippi River. Over the past few months, the news of one species, salmon, dying out in the northwestern part of the United States drew our team’s attention. In this paper, I would like to present my research on Pacific Northwest salmon from the perspectives of problem statement, policy proposal, and political analysis.