Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for charging a weighing device arranged upstream of a packaging device with fragile foodstuffs of irregular size, in particular potato chips (4), comprising a dosing trough (1) with a free discharge side (8), a weighing container (3) and/or a storage container (2) arranged upstream of the weighing container (3). The dosing trough (1) is closed off at its free discharge side (8) by an end wall (9) and a discharge opening (10) is provided in the base (5) of the dosing trough (1) at the discharge side (8). The size of the discharge opening (10) defines a maximum target size relative to the size of the respective foodstuff (4) to be weighed and packaged. The base (5) of the dosing trough (1) forms an edge region (11) about the discharge opening (10) and a support for the foodstuff (4) exceeding the target size.