An Interview with Phil Belknap of Wedge Lyndale:

What is your role/title?  

I’m a Grocery Stocker.    

How long have you been with TCCP? How long have you been in your current role? 

33 years- since May of 1990, and I’ve been a stocker on the sales floor the whole time. 

What led you here? 

I started working for co-ops in 1976 in the little town of Greely Colorado. There, I was basically a “manager”- coordinating volunteers. I was the only employee! Everyone else was a volunteer. After that I became a traveling entertainer, then came back to Minnesota to be near family, and I wanted to be in a city with a good music scene. 

What is one thing you appreciate about the workplace culture at the Wedge? 

I really like my coworkers, and I like working for an equitable company. I also really enjoy the long-term customers—and their kids. I used to see customers come in with their babies, then 18 years later, that baby would work here! 

What is a food or drink that brings you joy & comfort during the winter?  

Squash! I like “buttercup” best. I bake it whole, cut it open, and maybe put a little butter on it. But it’s so good, it doesn’t even need butter!