The group's 12 core members have shared a few laughs in the kitchen since helping their mothers cater at shows from 1954, but yesterday said it was time to retire.
"We would love to see a young group come in behind us and carry on the catering.
We've had a lot of fun over the years and all really enjoy it, but it is time for a change," member Trish Hore, of Ranfurly, said.
League president Joan Dowling said most of the group's members had been involved in catering for most annual shows since 1954, having missed only one or two years.
Mrs Dowling, of Ranfurly, said no members had catered every show for each of the past 56 years, but a couple had been made life members of the league having been involved in the original catering.
All food was donated and dished up by league members for morning tea, lunch, and an afternoon or Devonshire tea.
Traditional country fare prevailed, with home baking and sandwiches followed by cold meats, potatoes, vegetables, and salad.
The afternoon spread included more home baking, tea, coffee, juice, and fruit.
Baskets of food were also made and taken around the show to stall-holders, organisers and judges.
Catering involved making sandwiches the previous evening , working shifts in the kitchen from about 8am to 5pm, and co-ordinating supplies.
Setting up a serving and dining area also took time, as did the hundreds of dishes.
Proceeds from the catering were channelled into community projects each year, benefiting organisations and services such as the local hospital, rest-home and St John.
Member Francie Morrow, of Ranfurly, said the league also ran the opportunity shop in Ranfurly, and helped the community in general, whenever it could.
"We always find someone to give money to," she said.
This year, some profit would be sent to Haiti to help earthquake victims.
