Barco Products Expands Line of IGBC-Certified Bear-Proof Food Storage Containers for Campgrounds and Outdoor Recreation

BATAVIA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 1, 2026--

Barco Products has expanded its growing line of wildlife-resistant outdoor amenities with the introduction of new Bear-Proof Food Storage Containers and Personalized Bear-Proof Food Storage Containers designed for campgrounds, RV parks, national parks, resorts and outdoor recreation destinations. Built to help reduce dangerous human-wildlife interactions, the containers are certified bear resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) and engineered to withstand repeated clawing, chewing and tampering from bears and other nuisance wildlife.

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The new storage containers are available in both standard and customizable configurations, giving parks and hospitality destinations the ability to combine safety and durability with branded visual appeal. The personalized models can feature laser-cut logos, park names, messaging or custom artwork for a cohesive campground or park aesthetic.

Designed specifically for outdoor hospitality environments, the containers are ideal for use in campgrounds, RV parks, hiking areas and locations near wildlife habitats where proper food storage is critical. Each unit is available in either 24-cubic-feet or 30-cubic-feet capacities, large enough to store multiple coolers and camping supplies while remaining accessible and easy to operate.

Manufactured in the U.S.A., the containers are laser-cut from 70% recycled 12-gauge steel and finished with a dual-layer protective coating engineered to resist corrosion, chalking and fading in harsh outdoor environments. Heavy-duty stainless-steel hinges, ADA-compliant accessibility and surface-mount capabilities further enhance long-term durability and usability. The animal-resistant design includes heavy-gauge steel construction, reinforced access points, tamper-resistant hardware and secure latching mechanisms that help prevent bears and other wildlife from prying, nibbling or forcing their way into the container.

In addition to deterring bears, the containers are designed to help keep out raccoons, rodents, coyotes, foxes, ravens, insects and other wildlife commonly encountered in campground settings.

“Campgrounds and outdoor recreation destinations are increasingly prioritizing solutions that improve both guest safety and wildlife protection,” said Haihan Zhao Product Development Manager for Barco Products. “These bear-proof food storage containers deliver the rugged durability operators need while offering customization options that enhance the overall appearance and branding of a property.”

The new product launch builds upon Barco Products’ broader expansion into bear-resistant outdoor solutions, including a recently introduced collection of bear-proof waste receptacles and park amenities designed for public lands and hospitality environments.

The containers are available in four natural outdoor colors black, tan, brown and green and ship fully assembled for simplified installation.

For more information about the new bear-proof storage solutions, visit:

https://www.barcoproducts.com/park-amenities/bear-proof-products/bear-proof-storage

About Barco Products

Barco Products is a designer, manufacturer, and distributor of commercial outdoor site furnishings and traffic control and safety products. Headquartered in Batavia, Illinois and founded in 1985, Barco offers a wide range of commercial products including picnic tables, benches, and waste receptacles, many made with recycled plastic and backed by industry‑leading warranties. www.barcoproducts.com

Barco Products Expands Line of IGBC-Certified Bear-Proof Food Storage Containers for Campgrounds and Outdoor Recreation

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Pentagon policy illegally banned transgender troops from military service, a divided panel of federal appeal court judges ruled on Monday in another legal setback for President Donald Trump's sweeping agenda.

The majority opinion — by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit — held that the Trump administration's policy was designed to exclude people from the military based on their gender identity.

The ban will remain in effect for now. The U.S. Supreme Court let it go through last year as litigation continues to play out, and the appeals court put their own ruling on hold to allow for appeals. It would apply to plaintiffs serving in the miliary, but not those seeking to join. So the military would be able to prevent new transgender people from enlisting.

The appeals court panel's 2-1 decision largely upholds a March 2025 ruling by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington, D.C. Reyes concluded that Trump’s executive order to exclude transgender troops from military service likely violates their constitutional rights.

The administration appealed after Reyes issued a preliminary injunction requested by attorneys for several transgender people who are active-duty service members and others seeking to join the military. The appeal court's majority decided that the injunction should be narrowed to the plaintiffs currently serving in the military but not those trying to enlist.

Another lawsuit challenging the ban was filed in Washington state and led to a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs challenging the policy in that case

In January 2025, Trump signed an executive order that claims the sexual identity of transgender service members “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life” and is harmful to military readiness.

In response to the order, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a policy that presumptively disqualifies people with gender dysphoria from military service. Gender dysphoria is the distress that a person feels because their assigned gender and gender identity don’t match. The medical condition has been linked to depression and suicidal thoughts.

The policy “appears to be driven by the bare desire to harm a politically unpopular group: persons who identify as transgender,” Judge Robert Wilkins wrote for the majority. Wilkins was nominated to the court by Democratic President Barack Obama.

In a dissenting opinion, Judge Justin Walker said judges lack the power to second-guess the decision to exclude transgender troops.

“We have neither the expertise nor the authority to decide whether the military can exclude the plaintiffs from its ranks. The Constitution assigns that authority to Congress and the Commander in Chief,” wrote Walker, who was nominated by Trump, a Republican.

Judge Judith Rogers, who was nominated by Democratic President Bill Clinton, joined Wilkins' majority opinion but also partially dissented.

FILE - U.S. Army soldiers wait to board their CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a joint military drill between South Korea and the United States at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, South Korea, Sunday, March 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

FILE - U.S. Army soldiers cross a floating bridge on the Imjin River during a joint river-crossing exercise between South Korea and the United States as a part of the Freedom Shield military exercise in Yeoncheon, South Korea, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

The Pentagon is seen, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)