A form, fill and seal machine for making a reclosable package with a reclosable fastener includes a reclosable fastener handling assembly, a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly and a sealing jaw assembly. The handling assembly includes a flattening device, a reclosable fastener feed device and a slack sensor. A form, fill and seal machine alternatively includes a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly disposed adjacent the forming tube, wherein the vertical seal assembly is configured to continuously seal the film tube, and a tear notch applicator positioned downstream of the vertical seal assembly and configured to apply a slit to the continuously moving film tube. The tear notch applicator is positionally fixed in the machine direction. Methods for continuously forming a reclosable package are also provided.