A macaroni distributor shaker is disclosed in which short cut macaroni, noodles or other alimentary paste particles in partially dried form are received within a hopper of partial cone shape at the top of the shaker and thereafter advanced along the length of an elongated chute extending from one side of the hopper to a lower open end of the chute for distribution over a moving drying screen therebelow. The macaroni particles are uniformly and evenly distributed on the drying screen by vibratory motion of the chute in the direction of elongation thereof combined with reciprocating rotational movement of the chute and included hopper about a generally vertical axis at a slower rate such that the lower open end of the chute reciprocates laterally between the opposite edges of the drying screen. The vibratory and lateral motions are generated from a single drive motor coupled to drive a rotatable shaft including an eccentric bearing and a gear reduction mechanism. The vibratory motion results from a connecting rod coupled between the eccentric bearing and the chute which is mounted to a base frame for longitudinal movement relative thereto by a plurality of elongated elements pivotably mounted to the base frame and to the chute. Reciprocating rotational motion of the chute is provided by a rotary cranking mechanism which is rotatably mounted on the base frame and coupled to a rotating arm on the gear reduction mechanism and to a support frame on which the base frame is pivotably mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis.