Beans can be used for so many things like stuffed toys, etc. I made some bean bags to set on our patio chairs so they don't fall over in the wind. Many of our family quilts are from feed and flour sacks. I also remember cornmeal coming in cloth sacks. If you use a lot of beans, it won't matter if bugs get in (I don't know what they would eat) since you rinse them and soak them before cooking.