I do the same idea as Bandgeek. I have two sectioned trays which I try to fill every morning. One is stuff that needs to be refridgerated and the other stays out. I fill mine with cheese cubes, chicken cubes, cooked pasta (whole wheat rigatoni, for example), olives, apple wedges, grapes, banana slices, kiwi chunks (or melon, orange slices, any fruit really), nuts, crackers, hard cooked eggs, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, prunes, raisins, dates, (any dried fruit), berries, sardines, carrots, celery, cukes, broccoli, cooked diced veggies, etc, etc.
I also don't refill. I try to put out one thing that might challenge them (smoked mussels, anyone?) and I think that they are far more open to trying when it's on their terms instead of on a plate in public at dinner...I'm always surprised! I also try to include something that's a bit of a treat like organic animal crackers or something.
My kids don't always eat dinner, but I know that they've been well fed throughout the day.
I put the refridgerated tray just inside the fridge at their level and the other one on the coffee table. They can help themselves when they want. With a new baby in the house, I LOVE not having to lug around a baby who is trying to stay plugged in to my nipple while I'm peeling carrots every ten minutes for the big boys!
So far, my boys have not fought over who gets what from the tray, so not an issue for us (yet).