By the numbers: The benefits of buying localBy the numbers: The benefits of buying local

Demand for locally produced food and other products is surging, according to multiple reports. This is great news for small purveyors, manufacturers, retailers and local communities. Here’s a look at the financial impacts of buying local.

72: Percentage of shoppers who bought locally grown food in the last year, up 9 points since 2010.

7,175: Number of farmers’ markets in the U.S. in 2011, up 53 percent since 2008.

45 cents: Portion of every dollar spent locally that’s reinvested locally.

18 cents: Portion of every dollar spent on nonlocal supermarket produce that goes to producers; 82 cents goes to middlemen.

$20,350: Amount returned to the local economy in wages, products, taxes and nonprofit giving when one family buys only from local businesses for one year.

3: Number of local business jobs lost for every two jobs created by a national chain.