A method for packaging a product comprises compressing a product in a first direction and a second direction, and transferring the product into a package having an opening, wherein the product is oriented in the package such that neither the first direction nor the second direction are aligned with the opening is disclosed. A packaging apparatus comprises a first plate oriented in a first direction, a second plate oriented in a second direction that intersects the first direction, a third plate oriented in a third direction that intersects the second direction but does not intersect the first direction, and a chute aligned with the third direction.