My ancestors on both sides immigrated to this great country in the 1800s -- only two of a few hundred Sicilians to enter the U.S. through the port of New Orleans. Why you ask? Well, cotton was failing as a cash crop in Louisiana, and the King of Italy made a compact with Louisiana officials to allow direct importation of Sicilian farmers to introduce "row-cropping vegetables." Most immigrants during that time period came through Ellis Island in New York, and only 400 total immigrants made their way through New Orleans.
The crop they successfully grew was the "strawberry" and they settled in the soil-rich plantations around Hammond, LA, and Tangiphoa Parrish the undisputed Strawberry Capital of the U.S. today.
So I say my friend, "Welcome Back, Paisano to the Chipboard." I collect mostly Mississippi and Louisiana chips if I can be of any assistance to you