A container for items such as food products that exude liquid includes a tray (12) with a liquid collection space (34) at the bottom of the tray, liquid absorbent pad (18) in said liquid collection space that includes a liquid impervious upper sheet (30), a porous bottom sheet (31) and absorbent material (32) positioned there between. Liquid exuding products are supported on the pad (18) and the tray includes a plurality of upright grooves (27) in the side wall structure that face inwardly that form liquid channels for draining liquid exuded from the food products downwardly to the recessed bottom panel of the tray where the liquid can be absorbed through the bottom sheet by the absorbent material of the pad.