Thanks everyone, and for the link TimA.  I also see that the Kondos non-insulated food pack has a decent sale going too. From the few comments by actual users of this, the BWJ system seems to work well, but $400 is probably more than I am willing to part with.  FYI, what I have done for years has been to fashion my own cooler (from rigid insulation), custom fit to the bottom half of my food pack, with my dry goods on top inside a separate trash bag.  The homemade cooler doesn't last forever, but I have been able to keep fresh meat & milk for four- five days with temps in the 60's & 70's, using the same cooler for several seasons.  I like the idea of plastic boxes for the dry items.  I think I am going to keep using some version of my existing system along with plastic boxes for the dry goods going forward, and probably just purchase a new uninsulated food pack.

Marlin, It probably could be done without too much hassle if the foam will bond to the barrel.  The spray insulation is only a few bucks a can. I have seen the barrels used by the rangers I have come across in the BW.  They're not for me, but they certainly do keep food protected. I'm sure someone who likes the barrels will eventually give it a try.  I would.

inner plastic container/barrel .....foam.....outer plastic container. Sounds like a cooler. 

If $ is no object, than I'm sure that they're great! If you must have fresh food. I use a 60l barrel for everything. They make a cooler that fits in the bottom. A note on Barrels, upgrade the harness. All my gear except for rods & paddels will fit. Love them or hate them, the best thing about barrels is your gear stays dry,you don't need a chair and I never have to hang my food from a tree.

i have the bwj insulated food pack and the wife and i love it. yes this pack can start out heavy, but gets lighter every day. it is easy to hang and easy to carry imo. i have had a bear steal it on a long portage, he tore the zipper and just alittle bit of the pack, before i was able to get it back from him. he did get a bag of treats that was at the top of the pack. once he got something out of it he was willing to leave. he did charge me a couple times just to keep me away until he did get a treat.  we also do dry food trips with bear vaults containers. either system works for us depending on our trip plans.

  vinnie