Embodiments herein describe a pusher for inducting items into a packaging system. In one embodiment, the pusher moves an item through a mandrel and into a loading volume where the item is enclosed in a package. To mitigate the likelihood the item becomes stuck or does not fully come to rest in the loading volume, the pusher has a scoop that pushes the item through the mandrel into the loading volume. Further, the scoop is designed to perform a springing action to help move the item into the loading volume. In one embodiment, the scoop is cantilevered where an upper edge connects to a back side of the pusher but a lower edge is not connected to the pusher, to help perform the springing action. When the pusher stops moving, the compressed scoop performs the springing action to help propel the item into the loading volume.