Packaging system for preserving perishable items

A modified atmosphere package for storing oxygen sensitive goods, comprising a gas permeable tray for holding the oxygen-sensitive goods, a gas permeable film positioned over and adjacent to said tray forming a first wrapped tray, a barrier bag with an inside surface and an outside surface within which said first wrapped tray is disposed, and a pressure relief valve located on said outside surface of said barrier bag, wherein:

• (a) said gas permeable tray is comprised of foam material, wherein at least about 20 volume percent of said foam material is open cell foam comprised of a multiplicity of open cells, said open cells comprise a gas phase which comprise from about 19 to about 22 volume percent of oxygen and from about 78 to about 81 volume percent of nitrogen, and said open cells have an average cell diameter of from about 0.001 to about 0.020 inches,
• (b) said gas permeable tray is comprised of a bottom wall and at least one side wall integrally connected to said bottom wall and extending upwardly and outwardly from said bottom wall at an angle of from about 10 to about 85 degrees, wherein each of said bottom wall and said side wall have a thickness of from about 0.025 to about 0.35 inches,
• (c) said gas permeable tray has a density of from about 0.5 to about 15 pounds per cubic foot,
• (d) a film of gas permeable material is disposed over and contiguous with said bottom wall of said gas permeable tray,
• (e) said barrier bag has an oxygen permeability of less than 5 cubic centimeters per 100 square inches per 24 hours, and
• (f) said tray is comprised of a first wall and a first hinged flap integrally connected to said first wall of said tray, wherein said first hinged flap is comprised of a first receptacle.