A loading head (L) for loading food articles (10) into packaging (44) includes a transfer conveyor (30) in operable communication with a source of articles (10) to be loaded. The transfer conveyor (30) communicates the articles (10) from an upper receiving position (32) to a lower loading position (34). A first drive (SD) drives the transfer conveyor at a variable speed. A second drive (OD) oscillates the transfer conveyor (30) between a first position and a second position. A controller (154) is in operable association with the first (SD) and second (OD) drives for varying the driving speed of the transfer conveyor (30) as a function of the position of the transfer conveyor (30). An article holder (44) is disposed at the loading position (34) for receipt of a transferred article (10).
