A tray container includes a paper-based material having a number of sides extending from a container bottom. Each side has a proximal end that is contiguous with the container bottom and a distal end that is configured to fold into a bonding surface and a reinforced portion. The bonding surface and the reinforced portion each include two layers of the container material. The tray container has a perimeter bonding surface that includes each bonding surface of the container sides. A support ring is attached to the perimeter bonding surface, defining a cover bonding surface to which a film or mesh cover may be bonded.