Abstract: A package, packaging method, and packaging apparatus for facilitating the packaging of large meat products and exchanging the ambient atmosphere to establish a desired gaseous atmosphere that extends the shelf life of the product. The package includes a pair of preformed relatively rigid plastic domed or cupped members which abut along a sealing surface. The upper and lower package portions include flanges which are adapted to facilitate not only the formation of the package but its subsequent opening. A reciprocatable filling tube maintains the separation between the upper and lower package portions to permit gas exchange and then may be reciprocated downwardly to allow the upper package portion to abut atop the lower package portion for sealing connection.