in one embodiment the tray 40 includes four such channels 48 the channels 48 in the lip 46 extend both downward from an upper surface of the lip and inward from an outer surface of the lip as further shown in fig4 the wall 44 is generally hourglass shaped such that the wall 44 forms a waist 50 near a longitudinal midpoint of the tray 40 during use of the fresh meat packaging system 10 pre fabricated cuts of meat product are placed into the tray 12 in one embodiment a soaker pad is placed beneath the meat product next both the tray 12 and the meat product are wrapped with film 14 in one embodiment of the present invention the film 14 is heat sealed in one embodiment the tray 12 is not wrapped but rather is enclosed in the film 14 next the openings 38 are made in the film 14 in an area outside of the tray 12 in one embodiment the openings 38 are placed in the film 14 prior to placement around the tray 12 in one embodiment the openings 38 are placed just below the outer surface 26 of the lip 20 in one embodiment the openings are placed just below the outer surface 26 of the portion of the lip 20 supported by the endwalls 18 in one embodiment the openings 38 extend through both the film 14 and the outer surface.