<p>A pet food package is chosen for visual appeal. The package includes a tray and a film that retains loose components of the pet food in a specified and consistent arrangement by vacuum conditions. The method for presenting a shelf stable, pet food comprises the steps of : a) providing a receptacle member having a recess formed therein; b) placing a first component of the pet food into the recess in a specified and consistent first arrangement; c) applying a retaining film over the recess, the first arrangement is chosen for visual appeal of the pet food and at least a portion of the retaining film is transparent to enable viewing of the pet food; d) applying a relative vacuum to the recess to form the retaining film over the pet food for constraining movement of the pet food relative to the receptacle member such that the first arrangement is retained; and e) making the pet food shelf-stable.</p>
